Inmate allegedly threw boiling water

Published 11:28 am Monday, October 17, 2011

An inmate in the Freeborn County jail faces charges for allegedly throwing boiling water in another inmate’s face last month.

Patricio Galvan, 39, is slated to appear in Freeborn County District Court today on charges stemming from the incident. Charges include one count of aggravated first-degree witness tampering, one count of first-degree assault and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

The victim reportedly suffered a major burn on the right side of his neck, the right side of his face and his right shoulder.

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Freeborn County District Court documents state Galvan reportedly heated 20 ounces of water in a microwave for three minutes and walked behind an inmate who was seated watching TV in the jail’s common area. Galvan threw the boiling water in the inmate’s face and then punched him several times in the face, according to court records.

Deputies heard yelling in the common area of the jail and responded in time to find the two men, who appeared to be squaring off as if they were going to fight.

They found the victim wet and bleeding with a cut under his right eye. He had not been able to strike a blow in response before deputies intervened.

Jail video revealed the details of the incident, which took place at 3:15 p.m. Sept. 30. Galvan, who is from Albert Lea, was in jail on assault charges.

Court records state the victim’s son was scheduled to testify against Galvan in an upcoming court hearing, and Galvan had been trying to convince the victim to persuade his son to do otherwise.

During an interview with deputies, Galvan reportedly admitted that he had received a witness list naming the victim’s son as a witness in the case and that he had tried to talk to the victim about it.

Galvan said things didn’t go well and the victim allegedly threatened to harm him.

In a separate interview, Galvan told deputies the victim’s son had totaled his car some time ago and caused problems for him, court files state.

He is being held in the jail on a $200,000 unconditional bond.