A Babbitt man was charged with three felonies, including aggravated robbery, in connection with an Oct. 16 incident.
Lathan Houghton, 49, was arrested by Babbitt police and charged with first-degree aggravated robbery, aggravated harassment with a dangerous weapon, and threats of violence- all felonies.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor of domestic assault/ to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death.
According to jail records, Houghton remained lodged in St. Louis County Jail this week with bail set at $100,000.
The charges stem from events that took place in Babbitt on Oct. 16, just before noon.
A female adult victim reported receiving threatening text messages from Houghton.
She later picked him up near City Hall and Houghton allegedly demanded $5,000 by that evening. According to the police report, at one point Houghton pulled out a gun and when asked if he would kill the victim or hurt her family, he responded he did not know what he would do.
The victim told police she was flustered and thought she needed to get away from Houghton, who allegedly said the victim was “on his terms.”
The victim later obtained $100 from a cash machine, gave it to Houghton, and told him to get out. Video footage confirmed the cash machine transaction, and police also reviewed text messages between Houghton and a family member, which police say indicated thatHoughtonwasthreateningand blackmailing the victim.
Police later located Houghton and placed him in custody.
According to the police report, Houghton said he came from Alaska in hopes of reconciling with the victim and that he asked for money, but he denied pulling a gun on the victim but “acknowledged pointing a gun at his head.”
Police also reviewed video footage from the residence of a Houghton family member. The video allegedly shows Houghton swearing at the victim and the victim telling Houghton she does not want him near her.
Police later interviewed the victim, who said Houghton told her he would get out of her life if she gave him $5,000.
The most serious felony charge against Houghton, for aggravated robbery, carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The other charges have maximum penalties varying from 90 days in jail for the misdemeanor and five years for the remaining felonies.
