Albert Lea man arrested in College Street incident scheduled to stand trial on gun, fraud charges in October

(ABC 6 News) – An Albert Lea man arrested at 406 College Street West Saturday morning is scheduled to stand trial on four court cases Oct. 16, 2023.

Donald Maurice McCormick was arrested on a warrant after failing to appear in court on charges of violating a restraining order and financial card, according to Albert Lea police.

McCormick also faces charges of carrying a BB gun in a public place, open bottle law violation, and obstructing the legal process from an alleged encounter with law enforcement in January of 2023.

McCormick is further charged with reckless firearm discharge, felon in possession of a firearm, and violating a harassment restraining order from February of 2023.

McCormick’s pretrial hearing on all charges is scheduled for Sept. 25.

No further charges related to McCormick’s Saturday arrest have been filed in Freeborn County Court.

Samantha Elise Gunhammer, 34 of Wells, was also arrested and transported to Faribault County Jail on a Faribault County warrant Saturday, per ALPD.

An adult male was also taken into custody Saturday, but was released without charges.


PREVIOUS STORY

(ABC 6 News) – Officers with the Albert Lea Police Dept. (ALPD) were dispatched for a report of an unwanted person inside an apartment building Saturday morning.

It happened around 9:35 a.m. at 406 College Street West.

According to an ALPD press release, once on scene, officers determined that one of the people reportedly inside was Donald Maurice McCormick of Albert Lea.

McCormick, 27, has two Freeborn County felony warrants out for his arrest, according to the release.

One of these was for violating a restraining order. The other was for financial transaction card fraud.

McCormick has a long criminal history including multiple counts of domestic assault, crimes committed for the benefit of a gang, and even for making terroristic threats.

One of the officers saw McCormick “stick his head out of a window and retreat back into the residence.”

Officers attempted to contact the residents of the apartment, but there was no response from anyone inside.

The South Central Drug Investigative Unit SWAT team responded to the scene to assist, while officers continued negotiating for McCormick and others inside to exit safely.

According to the press release, three people were placed in custody, including McCormick.

McCormick was transported to the Freeborn County Adult Detention Center for the warrants and additional charges are pending.

Samantha Elise Gunhammer, 34 of Wells, was also arrested and transported to Faribault County Jail on a Faribault County warrant.

An adult male was also taken into custody but was later released without charges.

Albert Lea Fire Rescue, the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service also assisted on scene.