Escape charges may add jail time

David Scott Nelson, a convict with a long criminal history, pleaded guilty to fleeing police after a breakout.

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 8:17 PM

David Scott Nelson Jr. is likely to get a year and a day added to the 14 1/2-year prison sentence he is already serving for drug and burglary offenses. He pleaded guilty Friday in Ramsey County District Court to fleeing police -- from Maplewood to Harris, Minn., in July -- and to escaping from the county workhouse in September.

Nelson, 28, of St. Paul, was led into court with his wrists handcuffed to a belt at his waist. He pleaded guilty to both charges in exchange for concurrent state guidelines sentences, which will be served after he serves the sentences handed down to him in September, his defense attorney, Patricia Hughes, told Judge John Guthmann. Nelson is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 5.

Prosecutor Dan Vlieger outlined the incidents by questioning Nelson:

On July 28, police attempted to stop Nelson, who was driving on Edgerton Street in Maplewood, so officers could question him about the July 26 shooting death of Roberto Flores, 38, in St. Paul. (Records show that Nelson has not been charged in the Flores homicide.) Nelson fled, leading police on a 45-mile chase that reached speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour. He was stopped near Harris after a squad car intentionally bumped Nelson's car.

Then on Sept. 13, he escaped from the workhouse in Maplewood by diving through an open passenger window of a friend's car. He was captured a few hours later.

His accomplice in the escape, Monique Stein, 24, of Fridley, pleaded guilty on Oct. 27 to aiding and abetting escape from custody. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 3.

A few days after Nelson's escape, he was sentenced on the burglary and drug charges. According to court documents, he and another man broke into a home in the 300 block of Burgess Street in St. Paul last Dec. 4 while the homeowner took her daughter to school.

And on Feb. 1 of this year, documents said, Nelson was found to have 2 ounces of methamphetamine, worth about $3,600, in his car after he rammed a bail bondsman's vehicle when the bondsman mistakenly tried to stop him. He pleaded guilty in July to second-degree burglary and first-degree drug possession.

Nelson also is facing burglary charges in Anoka County and has a lengthy criminal history that includes other drug convictions, receiving stolen property, domestic abuse and myriad traffic offenses.

Pat Pheifer • 612-741-4992

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