Posted: 2/5/03

Leeson will serve 111 days in jail for threats

The man who allegedly held police officers and a Clear Lake neighborhood at bay for 14 hours last fall has been sentenced to 111 days in jail with credit for time already served.

Kenneth Robinson Leeson, 35, of 4974 N. 210th St., Forest Lake, was sentenced in Washington County District Court on Jan. 17 for terroristic threats and a second charge of driving while impaired.

On the evening of Sept. 20, police were called to Leesonís neighborhood on the south side of Clear Lake when neighbors reported three gunshot blasts coming from the direction of Leesonís home. Police reports said Leeson was seen going into the home with a weapon.

A stand-off ensued. About noon the next day on Sept. 21, SWAT teams from Anoka County and Washington County sheriffís offices fired tear gas-like chemicals into the home and arrested Leeson.

He was initially booked on felony counts of making terroristic threats and discharge of a firearm in violation of state laws.

At sentencing on Jan. 17, Leeson was ordered to serve the 111 days in the county jail with 74 days of custody credit. He was given a 15-month prison term that was stayed for five years. He will be on probation for five years, as well. He was given a $50 fine.

On the DUI charge, Leeson received a $3000 fine and 365 days in jail with $2950 and 254 days of jail suspended for three years, with three years probation. He is also subject to other court provisions and ordered to complete the Cedar Ridge Program for continuing treatment services.

Meth lab probe

A fire in Forest Lake Monday night has triggered an investigation of a possible methamphetamine lab here.

Police were called to 1179 SW 11th Ave. at the request of Forest Lake Fire & Rescue where a kitchen fire had been extinguished. The fire department was called after a report of explosion in a townhome unit.

Chief of Police David Schwartz said a quantity of chemicals that may be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were recovered.

At the scene, police arrested the home occupant, Brian Paul Rubin, 26, on an outstanding warrant from Washington County. He was taken to a holding facility at the Forest Lake Police Station where he showered and was given clean clothing.

Schwartz said the kitchen fire and the possible connection to a methamphetamine lab is being investigated by the Washington County Narcotics Unit. The state fire marshalís office was also called in to assist, he said.

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