Two regional men enter pleas in Cedar Mills assault

WILLMAR -- Two of the men charged in connection with a March 26 incident where they attempted to run over and kill a 27-year-old man in Cedar Mills have entered guilty pleas.

Jeremy Jon Hoff, 26, of Bird Island, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony third-degree assault charge in Meeker County District Court. He will be sentenced July 6.

Alexander David Jensen, 26, of Dassel, pleaded guilty May 25 to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. He was sentenced to a year of probation and a $200 fine. He was also ordered to testify at any trial in connection to the incident.

He had faced two second-degree assault charges for standing by with a metal pipe as Hoff assaulted the alleged victim.

A third man, Bruce John Johnson, 25, of Hutchinson, is charged with second-degree attempted murder and assault. His next court appearance is July 14. A jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 9-10.

Hoff was originally charged with one count of third-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree assault in the case. He drove a pickup that nearly struck the victim and is accused of assaulting the man with a hammer.

According to a news release from Meeker County Sheriff Jeff Norlin, the victim was treated at Meeker Memorial Hospital.

According to the complaint against Johnson, he drove a Cadillac STS that hit the man's car and used the car as a weapon.

The man told investigators he recognized Johnson as the driver.

The car was later discovered at the home of a friend of Johnson's and it appeared that Johnson had stayed at the residence without permission.

Johnson is on supervised release in McLeod County for a felony conviction of first-degree controlled substance crime from May 2007.