(UPDATE) Lakeville Prosecutor Undecided on Punishment for Eagan Father Accused of Punching Son

Update (Dec. 16, 2011) Lakeville prosecutor Elliot Knetsch told Patch on Thursday evening that he has "not decided what to ask for if (Steven) Wilson pleads guilty or is convicted" of punching his son at Lakeville High School last Saturday. 

Wilson was arrested on Dec. 10 and charged with fifth-degree domestic assault after allegedly holding his son's head with one arm while using the other arm to punch him after his 8th-grade team lost in a basketball tournament. 

"The case is still at a preliminary stage. Many factors go into a decision as to what sentence is appropriate, including input from the victim, if any," Knetsch said. 

According to sentencing guidelines in Minnesota, fifth-degree domestic assault usually carries with it a $3,000 fine and 90 days in jail.  

When asked if he would pursue a harsher punishment for Wilson in an effort to deter would-be abusers or other incidents, Knetsch disagreed with that strategy.

"I do not think punishing an individual to 'send a message' to a particular segment of the general public is effective or equitable," he said.

An offense such as this can also carry with it a no-contact order—effectively barring any contact between Wilson and his son—which could be a particuarly tricky matter in this case. 

Knetsch declined to comment on a no-contact order because the case is still being investigated.

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Update (Dec. 14, 2011) The Eagan Athletic Association (EAA) is considering banning Steven Wilson, 52, from any future athletic events if allegations are true that he punched his eigth-grade son after losing a basketball game on Dec. 10, according to a story in the Star Tribune.

The story also said EAA president Ken LaChance is hoping "the courts" can help dole out punishment for what he considered unprecedented behavior by a parent toward a child. 

"I've never seen anything get to this level, and we're obviously very disturbed by it. We have banned folks in the past and obviously this will warrant some kind of reaction, maybe more than that," LaChance said. 

Misdemeanor domestic assault usually carries with it a no-contact order but none has been issued in this case, Lakeville City Attorney Elliott Knetsch has confirmed publicly. 

In an email to Patch on Dec. 13, Knetsch also confirmed that the case will not be handed over to the Dakota County District Attorney's office for consideration of more serious charges.

If convicted of the charges against him, Wilson could spend up to 90 days in jail and be forced to pay a $3,000 fine.

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Original story (Dec. 13, 2011)  Chief Tom Vonhof called the alleged domestic assault of teenage boy by his father at a basketball game in Lakeville "particularly disturbing" in a release issued today.

"Parents attending youth sports events have a great opportunity to be a positive role model for kids and that is clearly not what happened here," Vonhof said.

Steven O. Wilson, 52, of Eagan, was arrested on Dec. 10 after Lakeville police repsonded to reports of a domestic assault between a parent and a juvenile family member in the hallway of Lakeville South High School. 

Wilson allegedly held his son's head with one arm and used the other arm to punch him after his 8th-grade team lost in a basketball tournament, according to a Fox 9 article. 

According to the press release from Vonhof, nearby parents had to physically intervene to stop the assault before police arrived.

Wilson was arrested on charges of fifth-degree domestic assault and, if convicted, could face up to 90 days in prison and a $3,000 fine.

The Dakota County Attorney's office said ther matter is being prosecuted by the Lakeville city attorney. Messages left with the, have not yet been returned.

After Wilson's arrest, he was brought to Dakota County Jail. He posted a $10,000 bond and was released.