01-07-2025
Rochester man given probation, community service for shooting incident
Jun. 30—ROCHESTER — A former Rochester Charter Commission member received probation on drug and firearm charges in Olmsted County District Court Monday.
Benjamin Allen Harris, 26, was given five years of probation after pleading guilty to one charge each of drug possession and possessing a firearm while ineligible.
According to court records, Rochester police responded to a report of shots fired Dec. 24, 2024, at a home in the 6100 block of Shetland Drive Northwest. People living in the home told police they were sitting downstairs when they heard breaking glass. The people there showed police a bedroom window that had a bullet hole, a bullet hole in a window frame and a mirror in a bedroom that had been struck by a ricocheting bullet. People were sitting in the room at the time the bullet struck the mirror, the complaint shows. An off-duty officer in the area also reported hearing gunshots.
Police went to White Pine Drive Northwest to a home with the garage door open. There Harris and his parents met with officers outside, according to the complaint. Harris' mother showed police video her son sent her of Harris exiting an upstairs bathroom while holding and racking a firearm. Harris also sent his mother multiple text messages suggesting he was suicidal.
In the house, police found a black and gray semiautomatic pistol without a serial number and more than 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition along with substances that tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamines; miscellaneous pills, blades, bags and cash.
Harris was ordered to serve probation concurrently on the charges with a stay of adjudication for the drug charge and a conviction of the firearm charge.
Harris was also ordered to pay restitution of about $1,000 and given a fine of $500. Harris' attorney Peter Gifford noted that Harris is currently unemployed and completing substance abuse treatment. District Court Judge Pamela King then gave Harris the option to pay off with pro-social activities serving the community. King noted Harris' record with humanitarian group Team Rubicon and other community-oriented activities.
"I think you have plenty you can give back to the community," King told Harris.
King noted Harris had taken quick responsibility as a teen when he was adjudicated for second-degree arson in 2014.
"You took responsibility right away for something that was very serious," King said.
