Farmington Man Sentenced After Woman Jumped From Moving Vehicle in Eagan; Felony Threats Charge Dismissed Under Plea Deal
EAGAN, MINNESOTA - A Farmington man previously charged with threatening a woman with a knife, leading her to jump from a moving vehicle, has now been sentenced after entering an Alford plea in Dakota County.
David Bustos Jr., 35, initially faced a felony charge of Threats of Violence (Intent to Terrorize) following a March 31, 2026, incident in Eagan. However, court records show that the charge was ultimately dismissed, while Bustos was convicted of a gross misdemeanor domestic assault (subsequent violation) as part of a plea agreement.
Case Shifted to Sentencing Following Plea
According to court records, a pre-plea worksheet was submitted on April 24, 2026, ahead of an omnibus hearing that was scheduled. Instead, the April 29 proceedings transitioned into a sentencing hearing after Bustos entered an Alford plea, a type of guilty plea in which a defendant maintains innocence but acknowledges sufficient evidence exists for a conviction.
Sentence Details
Bustos was sentenced today, April 29, 2026, by Judge David N. Lutz. Court records show:
364 days in jail, with:
30 days to serve
334 days stayed for two years
30 days of credit for time already served
Supervised probation for 2 years (through April 29, 2028)
40 hours of community work service
$100 fine and $265 total fees
Court notes indicate Bustos is expected to be released today after receiving credit for time served.
Original Incident Details
The charges stemmed from a March 31, 2026, incident in Eagan. According to the original criminal complaint, police responded to a gas station on Pilot Knob Road after Bustos entered the business holding his child and asking staff to call 911. Investigators later determined the call was connected to a woman found along Interstate 35E near Deerwood Road.
The woman told officers she and Bustos had been drinking before an argument escalated while they were driving. During the incident, Bustos allegedly produced a pocketknife and made threatening statements while operating the vehicle. Fearing for her safety, the woman attempted to signal for help and ultimately jumped from the moving vehicle, suffering multiple injuries, including cuts and abrasions.
Bustos was later arrested, and officers reported recovering a pocketknife from his possession.
Separate Ramsey County Drug Case Still Pending
In addition to the Dakota County case, Bustos still faces two felony counts of first-degree drug possession in Ramsey County.
Court documents allege that during a 2022 search warrant execution at a St. Paul residence, law enforcement recovered approximately 260 grams of methamphetamine from a safe linked to Bustos. He later posted a $50,000 appearance bond and was released pending court proceedings.
A jury trial in that case is currently scheduled for July 6, 2026.
Ongoing Legal Status
While the felony threats charge in Dakota County has been dismissed, Bustos now has a gross misdemeanor conviction related to the same incident and remains under supervised probation.
The Ramsey County drug case remains active.
As with all criminal cases, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail
Written by: Will Wight
