FAIRMONT — A Blue Earth man is facing a felony charge in Martin County.

Carlos Enrique Ramirez, 19, has been charged with simple robbery, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On Jan. 25, Fairmont police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of South Prairie Avenue in Fairmont on a report of an assault. Officers met with a juvenile male party and his mother. The mother advised that the boy was “jumped” by someone and had redness on the left side of his face and right side of his neck.

When asked what happened, the boy explained that he was selling a “vape” to another juvenile male. He explained that he walked to meet with the other juvenile, but found there were several other individuals there with him, including Ramirez and two more juveniles.

He said they were looking at the vape when Ramirez punched him in the face using both fists, then took his vape.

He explained there was no argument or anything that led up to the assault. The mother indicated that some people have been accusing the boy of stealing items from another of their friends.

Officers went to a residence in the 100 block of Water Street in Fairmont where the officer knew one of the other juveniles and possibly Ramirez lived. The officer made contact with Ramirez, and asked for the vape. Ramirez denied having the item. When the officer told him he was given information about a robbery, Ramirez said it was inside.

Ramirez retrieved the vape, and brought it to the officer. It matched the description of the vape described by the original boy.

The officer then talked to the other juvenile, who agreed to answer questions. He said Ramirez and two other juveniles met up with the alleged victim and said the alleged victim was talking trash took a swing at him and the others. He said Ramirez took offense, blocked the punch and swung back.

The officer then spoke to the juvenile who was supposed to buy the vape. He indicated the group wanted to confront the alleged victim about stealing items from their friends. He admitted to creating a story about the vape purchase to get the alleged victim to meet with them. He explained they confronted the boy and that Ramirez punched him, though he did not fight back.