Jaylan Lavone Black sentenced following assault on fellow inmate at Anoka County Jail

Black received an 18-month sentence after plea to third-degree assault

April 17, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) —  Today, an Anoka County court sentenced Jaylan Lavone Black to 18 months in prison for assaulting another inmate while they were both housed at the Anoka County Jail.  Black pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree on February 3, 2026.

On December 6, 2024, after a verbal altercation, Black punched a fellow Anoka County Jail inmate in the face causing a facial fracture.  At the plea hearing, Black admitted to committing an assault causing substantial bodily harm.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Black upon a referral from Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil.  Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“My team and I stand ready to help local law enforcement across the state prosecute those who harm their fellow Minnesotans,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Jaylan Black did just that, and we held him accountable for it. I’m grateful to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance investigating this crime.”

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office investigated this crime.