Tonda Pleads Guilty in Attack on Inver Grove Heights Hockey Coach, Sentencing Set For October

A 49-year-old St. Paul man accused of  pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of felony terroristic threats.

According to a Dakota County criminal complaint, Thomas Angelo Tonda began screaming at his son's hockey coach during a December 2011 practice after the coach disciplined his son following an on-ice incident.

The complaint says Tonda placed the victim in a choke hold and, after being separated from the coach, threatened to kill the man.

Tonda was with terroristic threats and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault but Dakota County Judge Tim D. Wermager dropped the lesser charge in exchange for Tonda's guilty plea.

Judge Wermager also ordered a presentence investigation (PSI) after receiving Tonda's guilty plea.

According to an online legal dictionary, a PSI generally consists of the following components:

• Interview with the defendant;
• Review of defendant's criminal record;
• Review of the specific facts of the crime.

Once the PSI is complete, court administrators will prepare a report containing the information and including recommendations to the court about the type and severity of the sentence. 

Judge Wermager scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. on Oct. 16. The charge against Tonda carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.