Former Prior Lake city manager sentenced in domestic assault case

A former Prior Lake city manager who was fired after authorities charged him with one count of domestic assault was sentenced on Monday. 

Court documents show Michael Plante was sentenced to two years of supervised probation. He was also sentenced to serve three days in jail but had already recorded that time served. Additionally, Plante will need to complete 50 hours of community work service. 

According to court documents, Plante was charged with one count of felony domestic assault and two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault in August 2019. One of the misdemeanor counts and the felony count were dropped with a plea deal after Plante pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor-level domestic assault in October 2019. 

Prior Lake city manager terminated after domestic assault charges

According to the criminal complaint, on Aug. 14, 2019, officers responded to an assault report in Prior Lake. Police met with a woman who said she was working out with her husband the morning of the same day in the basement of their home. Her husband was identified as Plante. The witness said they began to argue, and during the argument, she took his phone and asked if she should look through it. Plante reportedly became "very angry" and demanded his phone back.

As the victim tried to walk away, Plante grabbed her, according to the complaint. She then started to walk up the stairway. The victim said when she reached the third step, Plante put his arm around her neck from behind and began to squeeze her neck. This reportedly went on for "three to seven seconds." The victim told authorities she could not breathe or speak for part of this time.

Prior Lake city manager charged with 3 counts of domestic assault, placed on leave

The victim also said Plante threw her to the floor and she landed on her back. Plante then pinned the victim to the floor with his knee. After the victim was able to get her knee up between them, Plante took his phone from her and she was able to get away from him.

Police state in the complaint they found the victim's neck to appear "red with markings on it."

Prior Lake city manager arrested on suspicion of domestic assault