Dec. 4 — A resident on 130th Avenue in Little Falls reported damage done to their property.
Dec. 5 — A business on North Highway 10 in Royalton reported a burglary.
Dec. 5 — A resident on 10th Avenue in Swanville reported a theft.
Dec. 6 — A resident on Royal Oaks Road in Royalton reported a scam in which the resident had purchased a new computer and when downloading some new software, was prompted to call a number for assistance. The resident called the number and spoke to a subject who gained access to the resident’s computer. The person on the phone said they could not fix the problem and said the resident owed them $300.
Dec. 6 — A resident on Highway 238 in Little Falls reported a case of fraud.
Dec. 7 — Residents on 300th Avenue Pierz reported someone had used their credit card and charged more than $600 without consent.
Dec. 7 — A resident on Postel Drive in Motley reported damage had been done to their property.
Dec. 9 — A resident on 161st Avenue in Little Falls reported a scam text message asking for the resident’s Social Security Number.
Benjamin Lawrence Breault, 20, Swanville, was charged Dec. 1 with one felony count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, one felony count of fourth-degree assault of a peace officer and one gross misdemeanor count of obstructing the legal process with force.
According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 30 at about 5:02 a.m., law enforcement was dispatched to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle on Balsam Road near Swanville in Morrison County.
An officer on the scene observed a vehicle on a field road with its headlights on, with the brake lights and flasher lights turning on and off.
The officer was aware of recent burglaries in the area, and so drove to the vehicle, at which point the vehicle‘s lights were turned off.
The officer activated his emergency lights, at which point the driver got out of the car, wearing what appeared to be pajama bottoms and a hooded jacket, but no shoes.
When asked for his name, the suspect said his name was Ben. He was later identified as Breault. Dispatch advised that the vehicle belonged to a female party.
Breault allegedly kept ranting and raving, getting in and out of his vehicle and would not follow commands. He then allegedly took off driving through a cornfield.
Law enforcement followed the vehicle through several cornfields with emergency lights activated. Breault pulled up to a residence and the officer instructed him to get out of the vehicle. Breault allegedly refused and rushed into the house.
When confronted inside by the officer, Breault allegedly began to physically fight with the officer, swinging at his face and kicking his leg.
Breault continued to fight with officers when escorted out of the house. One officer was hit in the head, while another suffered scrapes and bruises.
When questioned later by law enforcement, Breault allegedly admitted fleeing the officer because he was afraid he would be tased. He allegedly stated he was in the car using marijuana and went into the house because the officer “had no right” to stop him on private property.
If convicted, Breault faces up to three years and one day in prison and/or $5,000 in fines for the charge of fleeing, up to five years imprisonment and/or $10,000 in fines for the assault charge and up to one year in jail and $3,000 in fines for the gross misdemeanor.
Tammy Lynn Jackson, 36, Staples, was charged Dec. 2 with one felony count of fifth-degree possession of cocaine.
According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 1 at approximately 11:27 p.m., law enforcement was dispatched to a welfare check at a parking lot of a business in Randall. Someone had called to report that a woman appeared to be passed out in the driver’s seat of her vehicle and did not respond to a knock on the window.
Officers located the vehicle and noted a woman slumped over in the driver’s seat. The driver eventually woke up after multiple knocks on the window and was identified as Jackson. She opened the door and spoke to officers, stating she was on her way to Staples.
Officers observed in plain view a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. Jackson was asked to step out of the vehicle, at which point she observed the pipe and allegedly said “Oh shit, that’s mine.”
Officers located a small baggie of a resin-like substance near the motor vehicle. Jackson allegedly admitted it was hers, and advised that there was a bag of cocaine on the seat, which officers then located.
Jackson later turned over additional baggies, one of which contained a white substance, later field-tested positive for cocaine and weighing 1.8 grams.
In a statement, Jackson allegedly said she found that cocaine and meth in a parking lot. She allegedly admitted to using the meth earlier and stated she used cocaine in an attempt to stay awake on the drive to Staples.
If convicted, Jackson faces up to five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines.
Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reports that arrest warrants were issued for the following people. Those with information as to the whereabouts of anyone on the list, are asked to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233 or toll-free at 1 (866) 401-1111, ext. 180. The warrants were issued Nov. 24 – Dec. 7.
Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaints against the following person:
•David John Kimmons, 25, Pierz — In connection with a Dec. 2 incident, Kimmons has been charged with two counts of DWI.
•Joseph Henry Nagel, 51, Little Falls — In connection with a Dec. 2 incident, Nagel has been charged with one count of hunting – firearm/archery – under influence, alcohol.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Saturday, Dec. 12, at approximately 12:47 a.m. their office received a phone call from a resident of Motley, indicating that he was stabbed. Morrison County Deputies along with Staples Police Officers responded and made contact with the victim, Paul Eisel, age 45, of Motley.
During the initial investigation, Eisel advised law enforcement officers that he was stabbed with a pocket knife in his apartment at the Motley Motel by Patrick Smith, 35, of Motley. Deputies located and arrested Smith a short time later. Smith is currently being held in the Morrison County Jail pending formal charges. Eisel was transported to Staples Hospital by Staples Ambulance for the injuries that he sustained.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Staples Police Department and Staples Ambulance.
Several mailboxes were damaged and mail tampered with in Belle Prairie Township, east of Little Falls over the weekend.
Following these reports to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to be alert.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to be alert for any unusual activity occurring around mailboxes. If someone notices anything suspicious, they are asked to contact the sheriff’s office immediately.
Sheriff Shawn Larsen would like to remind residents of ways to protect against mail theft:
• Mail your letters at the post office or hand them to a letter carrier rather than placing them in your mailbox;
• Pick your mail up promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight; and
• Never send cash in the mail;
• Tell your post office when you will be out of town so they can hold your mail until you return.
Dec. 10 — A resident on Cedar Street East in Motley reported that someone had stolen the rear license plate on their vehicle.
Dec. 10 – A resident on Thomas Drive in Little Falls reported a scam in which a caller, identifying themselves as being from the IRS, said the resident was being sought by the IRS for a lawsuit.
Dec. 12 — Ten residents on Hawthorn Road lodged property damage complaints.
Dec. 13 — A resident on 90th Street in Little Falls reported a scam in which they received a letter in the mail addressed to a person they did not know, but saying that person had an outstanding citation in Dallas, Texas, and had to pay $755.90. The resident tried calling the company and felt the person they talked to was not legitimate.
Dec. 13 — A business on North Main Street in Upsala reported a theft.
Dec. 13 — A resident on 170th Avenue in Royalton reported someone had hit his mailbox and that it been knocked down several times in the past year.
Dec. 14 — A resident on 183rd Street in Little Falls reported someone had tampered with their mail.
Dec. 16 — resident on 95th Avenue in Randall reported a scam in which someone called stating they were from Publishers Clearing House and that the resident had won a vehicle. However, the resident had to go to Walmart to send money to the caller to claim the prize.
The following people, charged with a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor level crime in Morrison County District Court, have recently been sentenced:
Gross Misdemeanors
•Clifford Martin Kaufman, 39, Little Falls; (offense: 8/26/15) driving after cancellation, fined $385, sentenced to 12 days in jail and probation to the court for two years.
•Frank Lloyd Kuhn, 47, Sun Prairie; (offense: 12/13/15) one count of second degree DWI, fined $385, sentenced to 93 days in jail. Dismissed against Kuhn was one gross misdemeanor count of second degree DWI.
•Nicholas Richard Valerius, 35, Buffalo; (offense: 12/10/15) dismissed against Valerius was one gross misdemeanor count of driving an uninsured vehicle.
•Gary Lee Kittelson, 70, Brainerd; (offense: 5/8/14) driving after cancellation, fined $135, sentenced to 79 days in jail and probation to the court for one year.
Misdemeanors
•Loni Nan Erickson, 22, Little Falls; (offense: 7/31/15) assault – fifth degree – inflict or attempt bodily harm, fined $185, sentenced to 14 days in jail and supervised probation or one year.
•Theresa Marie Johnson, 37, Brainerd; (offense: 7/27/14) second degree DWI, fined $415, sentenced to 76 days in jail and supervised probation for six years.
•Tiffany Lee-Anna Tracy Kostohryz, 53, Onamia; (offense: 10/4/15) theft – take/use/transfer movable property – no consent, fined $135, sentenced to two days in jail.
•Joshua James Savickus, 36, homeless; (offense: 11/8/15) damage to property, fourth degree in intentional damage – other circumstances, fined $185, probation to the court for one year.
•Bradley Joseph Waytashek, 27, Pierz; (offense 9/6/15) DWI, fined $560, sentenced to three days in jail and supervised probation for two years.
•Brent Michael Beimert, 44, Brainerd; (offense: 4/23/15) trespassing – entering posted land prohibited, without first obtaining permission from the owner, fined $185, supervised probation for one year.
•Robert James Dunham Devereaux, 33, Swanville; (offense: 6/24/15) driving after revocation, fined $135, sentenced to 57 days in jail.
•Samuel Carl Backberg, 26, Pillager; (offense: 11/1/14) disorderly conduct, fined $385, probation to the court for one year.
Troy Anthony Langer, 35, Little Falls, was charged Dec. 7 with one felony count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 9 at approximately 9:15 a.m., law enforcement was dispatched to a residence for a report of two men fighting in the parking lot.
One witness reported that one suspect, later identified as Langer, exited a red mini-van and allegedly punched the driver’s window of a vehicle occupied by the victim.
The witness alleged that the victim tried to leave the scene and drove forward into the passenger side of Langer’s van. Langer allegedly grabbed a hammer from his vehicle and smashed out the driver’s side window of the victim’s vehicle.
The victim gave a similar account, stating that he was in his vehicle and Langer blocked his vehicle from leaving.
Langer allegedly pounded on the driver’s side window of the victim’s vehicle and the victim yelled at him to stop, allegedly stating, “We don’t have to do this.”
The victim allegedly tried to call 911 but dropped the phone. Langer allegedly broke the window of the victim’s vehicle, cutting the victim’s face with broken glass.
Langer also allegedly hit the victim’s hand and shin.
The victim said he was afraid for his life and tried to get away, at which point he allegedly accidentally hit Langer’s vehicle.
The victim was then able to put his vehicle into reverse and flee the scene.
If convicted, Langer faces up to seven years in prison and/or $14,000 in fines.
Dec. 10 — A resident on Ninth Street Northeast reported a scam.
Dec. 11 — The Little Falls Post Office reported a lost or stolen package.
Dec. 12 — A resident on Second Avenue Northeast reported their vehicle had been stolen from the alley behind their residence.
Dec. 13 — A resident on First Street Northwest reported someone on bicycles shot at their home with pellet guns.
Dec. 15 — Someone vandalized and stole items from a display on Broadway East near Memorial Park.
Dec. 15 — Someone filed a complaint that their vehicle had been damaged while it was parked at a business on Second Avenue Northeast.
Dec. 15 — A resident on Broadway East reported a scam in which they called for a $25 plant to be delivered locally and was told the amount came to $89. The resident called to argue to cancel the order and was asked for their Social Security Number. A local business was advised of a possible scam in which their phone number was being used.
Corey Daniel Blare, 29, Sauk Rapids, was convicted Dec. 10 in Morrison County District Court of one felony count of fifth-degree possession of methamphetamine.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 12, law enforcement on routine patrol on Highway 10 observed a vehicle traveling with expired registration. An officer followed the suspect vehicle until it came to a stop and then made contact with driver, identified as Blare, and a female passenger.
Blare stated that he did not have his driver’s license with him and the officer asked him to step out of the vehicle. As he did so, the officer observed a glass pipe of the type commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, on the driver’s seat.
Blare was then handcuffed and allegedly admitted that he had marijuana in the back seat of the vehicle.
The officer then asked for identification from the passenger. While she was going through her purse, the officer observed and folded bindle of paper commonly used to package illegal drugs. The officer then searched the purse and opened the bindle, which contained a white crystal-like substance that appeared to be methamphetamine. Also in the purse was a jar containing marijuana. The passenger was also placed under arrest.
The crystal substance and the pipe later field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Blare admitted that the pipe belonged to him.
Blare was sentenced to 15 months in prison, stayed for five years, as well as 180 days in jail, with credit for 73 days already served, and five years supervised probation. He was also fined $185.
Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaint against the following person:
•Bradley Wayne Boje, 34, Little Falls — In connection with a Dec. 9 incident, Boje has been charged with one count of fifth degree criminal sexual conduct.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
Vernon Bob Hintz, 54, Randall, was charged Tuesday with four felony counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving minors under age 16 with whom he had a significant relationship.
According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 11, a victim under age 16 reported being sexually abused by Hintz, with whom the victim had a significant relationship.
Law enforcement took a statement from the victim, who alleged that Hintz had sexually abused the victim about 10 times when the victim was 6 years old. Hintz also allegedly sexually assaulted the victim a couple of times in the week prior to the victim reporting the abuse.
In a statement to police, Hintz allegedly admitted to having sexual contact with a number of children under age 16, all of whom he had a significant relationship with.
Hintz allegedly admitted to sexual contact with four individuals, including the victim who reported the abuse.
Hintz allegedly admitted to sexual abuse of one victim that happened approximately 20 different times.
Hintz also allegedly admitted to multiple other incidents of sexual contact with the other minors.
Statements given by the victims confirmed Hintz’ account of the abuse.
If convicted, Hintz faces up to 25 years imprisonment and/or $35,000 in fines for each felony.
Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reports that arrest warrants were issued for the following people. Those with information as to the whereabouts of anyone on the list, are asked to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233 or toll-free at 1 (866) 401-1111, ext. 180. The warrants were issued Dec. 1 – 15.
One year ago Darin Hayes, a Little Falls native, was in the hospital with multiple fractures to his hips, knee and arm, facing a holiday in the hospital.
This Christmas, Darin said he feels lucky to be alive and home with his family, although the scars, literal and figurative, of the accident continue to linger for him and his family.
Darin Hayes, a Little Falls native, was hit by a drunk driver more than a year ago and still faces physical, emotional and financial challenges due to the accident. His family, however, continues to stand strong and have hope for the future. Pictured are (from left): Monty, Darin, Myles, Sarah and Madison.
The evening of Oct. 25, 2014, Darin was on his way home from work in Monticello when an intoxicated driver swerved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with Darin’s vehicle.
Darin was released from the hospital and returned to his home in Clearwater in January.
Even after multiple surgeries and more than 50 hours in the operating room, Darin’s physical abilities are still limited because of injuries he sustained in the crash. He will likely never be able to bend his knees normally.
“I will never be where I was,” he said. “I tried going back to work, but there’s not much I can do.”
Darin had to resign from his job at Aroplex in September — he was unable to work the same long 13-hour days as before.
Sarah said the recovery process has been difficult as her husband has struggled through physical therapy, weaned himself off pain medication and try to manage ordinary daily tasks on his own.
The hardest part, Sarah said, is coming to accept that things will never be quite the same for their family, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be happy.
“It isn’t how we thought it would be. … It’s learning a new life,” Sarah said. “It’s still new to us every day.”
In May, Darin gathered a group of friends and family and tackled a 5K walk for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Sarah wrote on her blog that Darin, while exhausted, was passionately committed to the walk and completed the approximately 3.2 miles without stopping for a break.
With support from MADD advocates, Darin continues to fight a legal battle against the man who hit him and hopes to eventually help advocate and educate about drunk driving.
“It’s a huge epidemic,” Sarah said.
The family has pushed forward with a relentless optimism, Sarah said, and a desire to live in the moment.
Thus, even in the midst of adversity, they’ve found a silver lining — Darin, no longer working 70-hour weeks, is finally able to spend more time with his family.
“Our family has never had more time together,” Sarah said.
Darin has taken up hobbies to help around the home, such as cooking, gardening and woodworking, and now prepares many of the family meals.
“Mostly the complicated ones,” Darin joked.
In the past weeks, Darin has rarely missed his daughter Madison’s volleyball games and can regularly attend events and spend quality time with sons Monty and Myles.
Sarah added that the three have been hugely supportive of their father during his difficult recovery.
“I was so proud of how the kids behaved,” Sarah said, recounting how they patiently ran up the stairs of the family’s home to retrieve necessities for Darin.
Sarah said that the family also felt a huge outpouring of support from the community after the accident.
“I have no way of thanking everyone enough,” Sarah said.
She added, however, that while a benefit was held to help cover medical expenses, the family is still struggling to make ends meet.
They continue to face the reality of the accident’s psychological, physical and financial consequences every day, she added.
“It’s hard to realize that life goes on for everyone else,” Sarah said.
In spite of the sometimes-daunting task of getting through each day, Sarah said the Hayes family is strong enough to handle whatever comes their way.
“We don’t have a choice,” Sarah said. “We’re strong because we have to be. And we have hope.”
Darin, for his part, said things are so much better than they were a year ago; he now knows more about himself, and has learned the only way to heal is to keep moving forward.
“There are so many things you learn after an accident,” Darin said. “Once you hit bottom, there’s no place you can go but up.”
Kyle Kalis was looking forward to putting a down payment on a home for himself and his two children near where he lives in the Cushing area. A bulk of the down payment was supposed to come from the sale of a 6 1/2-by-14-foot Performance Engineer fish house, valued at $8,500.
However, thieves put a damper on his plans when it was stolen Sunday night, Dec. 20. He had parked it on the lot of his business, Action Dock. It was there Sunday night, and at 8:30 a.m. Monday, he said it was gone, with only tire tracks and footprints in its place.
Kalis said his children, ages 8 and 4, were disappointed as well.
“I know they were kind of bummed. We just finished the whole inside of it and we redid the entire thing. So it was kind of built for us,” Kalis said. The interior had all new brand new cedar.
“It’s been out on my lot for about five days. Literally, we just finished it, me and my son just put it out on the lot and now it’s gone.”
Kalis called the Sheriff’s Department, but also decided to make a plea on Facebook. He posted a photo with the message, “Well, apparently someone thought they needed my fish house more than I did and stole it. Please keep an eye out for it and call me if seen … or the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department.”
He called for friends on Facebook to “share the heck out of this” in the hopes that someone, somewhere would see his investment.
Since his post Monday morning, it has been shared more than 6,500, with messages coming from “everywhere,” he said. “From Wisconsin to the Dakotas and ice fishing websites. They’ve posted it and it’s getting shared throughout those sites too — it’s a lot of support I didn’t expect.”
While the theft put a damper on the Christmas spirit for the week, the people sharing the post have definitely given some of that spirit back.
“I appreciate every bit of effort that has gone into getting pictures out there. It’s a lot of eyes and a lot of great people helping,” Kalis said. “The more eyes we have out there, the better.”
Some distinguishing features include a 10-foot RV awning on the side of it for the summer. “A camper awning, most don’t have that,” Kalis said. It also has double ATV doors on the back to load a four-wheeler. “I had a lot into it — just the insulation and whole thing — spray foam floors and ceilings. There’s lots of little things in it that made it very valuable.”
Anyone who has information, is asked to call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department at (320) 632-9233.
The following people, charged with a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor level crime in Morrison County District Court, have recently been sentenced:
Gross Misdemeanors
•Kevin Dale Henkemeyer, 59, Little Falls; (offense: 10/19/15) DWI, fined $415, sentenced to 30 days in jail and supervised probation for four years. Dismissed against Henkemeyer was one count of DWI.
Misdemeanors
•Paul Michael Kruchten, 32, Albany; (offense: 7/14/15) domestic assault – and sentenced – intentionally inflict/attempt bodily harm, fined $185, supervised probation for two years.
•Joseph John Englehart, 26, Little Falls; (offense: 6/1/15) driving after revocation, fined $385.
•Thomas James Kuehn, 24, Pierz; (offense: 11/28/15) DWI, fined $560, sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for two years.
•Wesley Burdett Shoudy, II, 47, Little Falls; (offense 11/7/14) disorderly conduct, fined $185, sentenced to 90 days in jail, fined concurrent another count.
Brian Lawrence Haugen, 37, St. Cloud, was convicted Dec. 23, 2015, in Morrison County District Court of one felony count of domestic assault.
According to the criminal complain, on Aug. 21, 2015, law enforcement was dispatched to a report of a domestic dispute and 911 hangup in Little Falls. Officers arrived at the scene and met with the victim, who initially said nothing happened other than a verbal argument.
The victim later stated that Haugen had assaulted her. She said that Haugen, whom she has been dating and shares a child with, had been at her residence and they had gotten into an argument. The victim said Haugen became upset and hit her three times in the head with a closed fist. She then attempted to call the police when Haugen knocked the phone out of her hand and threatened to kill her before police got there. Children were also present at the scene.
It was discovered that there was a no contact order in place between Haugen and the victim.
Haugen was located walking away from the scene. He admitted he knew he was in violation of the no contact order, but said the argument with the victim was verbal and never became a physical confrontation.
Haugen’s criminal record shows previous convictions for violating a no contact order.
Haugen was sentenced to 18 months in prison, stayed for five years, five years supervised probation and 90 days in jail with credit for 90 days already served. He was also fined $135.
Haugen had one gross misdemeanor count of interrupting an emergency telephone call dismissed as part of a plea bargain.
Tracie Lee Allen, 44, Randall, was convicted Dec. 16, 2015, in Morrison County District Court of one felony count of theft of gas, money and merchandise.
According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 17, 2014, the owner of a business in Morrison County contacted law enforcement to report that an employee had been stealing from her business on a regular basis.
The business owner confronted the employee, identified as Allen, about theft of cash from the safe, as well as stealing scratch off tickets, gas and groceries from the business.
Allen admitted to the theft and estimated that she had stolen about $1,200 worth of items from the store.
The business owner later provided a summary of the thefts determined from surveillance video between August 2014 and October 2014.
The total value of property and cash stolen was found to be $2,620.33.
Allen was sentenced to 15 months in prison, stayed for five years, five years supervised probation and 28 days in jail, with credit for 28 days already served. She was also fined $135 and ordered to pay $2,620.33 in restitution.
