Timothy Lee Hagan, 39, Minot, was sentenced on Friday to five years in prison, with a requirement that he first serve four years, for Class C felony aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and Class C felony terrorizing with a dangerous weapon. The state agreed to dismiss Class A felony attempted murder, Class A felony kidnapping, and Class C felony felonious restraint charges against Hagan under the terms of the plea deal. Hagan admitted Friday to stabbing the 65-year-old male victim in the case multiple times with a knife after a dispute over money on June 17, 2021.

“Initially, I didn’t do what was said, but I did do this,” Hagan told the judge.

Hagan also said Friday he wants to apologize to the victim and asked the prosecutor to convey his apology to the man.

According to a police affidavit filed with the court, the male victim had allegedly arranged to meet a woman in a hotel. That woman texted Hagan and another person for help. The scuffle allegedly took place after there was a dispute over the man’s payment.

Ward County Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany Sorgen explained to Judge Todd Cresap during Friday’s change of plea hearing that the state would have a difficult time proving the attempted murder charge to a jury and there were also evidentiary issues with some of the other charges. Defense attorney Kyle Craig told the judge on Friday that Hagan might have been able to argue self-defense. According to the police affidavit, the victim allegedly had placed Hagan into a headlock during the scuffle. However, Craig said Hagan does admit to stabbing and seriously injuring the victim and the terrorizing and aggravated assault charges are the most likely charges he would have been convicted of at trial.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Hagan will receive credit for 226 days already served in jail, plus 32 days of his sentence for good behavior. Cresap also ordered him to have no contact with the victim, to pay $1,100 in court costs and restitution yet to be determined. There is a two-year minimum mandatory sentence for each of the Class C felonies because a weapon was used in commission of the crime. The sentences are to be served concurrently.