The following people, charged with a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor level crime in Morrison County District Court, have recently been sentenced:
Gross Misdemeanors
•Loni Nan Erickson, 23, St. Cloud (offense: 12/30/15) — fourth degree assault of a peace officer, fined $135, sentenced to 57 days in jail and probation to the court for two years. Also convicted of fifth degree assault – subsequent violation.
•    Heidi Marie Sullivan, 38, Little Falls; (offense: 12/1/14) second degree DWI, fined $385, sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for four years; obstructing legal process with force, fined $135, sentenced to three days in jail and supervised probation for two years, fine concurrent with other case; and a misdemeanor count of obstructing legal process, fined $135, sentenced to 40 days in jail, fine concurrent with other case. Dismissed against Sullivan were two gross misdemeanor counts of emergency telephone calls/communications – interrupt, interfere, impede, disrupt 911 call, one gross misdemeanor count of second degree DWI – refuse to submit to a chemical test and one gross misdemeanor count of fourth degree assault.
Misdemeanors
•    Jason Jay Porter, 36, Owatonna (offense: 4/4/13) — theft – take/use/transfer movable property without consent, fined $336.81.
•    Shaylii Ria Weous, 27, Onamia (offense: 4/4/15) theft – take/use/transfer movable property without consent, fined $135, sentenced to eight days in jail and probation to the court for one year.
•    Aaron Michael Kiley, 21, Little Falls (offense: 11/26/15) accident – failure to notify owner of property damage, fined $185, unsupervised probation for one year.
•    Jodi Marie Winkelman, 28, Holdingford (offense: 8/31/15) obstruct legal process – interfere with a peace officer, fined $135, sentenced to 40 days in jail

Feb. 18 — A resident on Elm Street and Darling Road in Flensburg reported a theft.
Feb. 18 — A resident on 370th Avenue in Hillman reported a Craigslist scam. The resident attempted to rent a house in another city. After paying $1,300 to the owner in California to rent the house, the resident later found out through a realtor that the home was not for rent.
Feb. 18 — A resident on Sage Road in Hillman reported a burglary.
Feb. 19 — A resident on Hidden Acres Drive in Little Falls reported a scam in which someone called and wanted the resident to go to a local business and transfer $250 to the caller. If the resident were to do this, the resident would receive $7,000 each week until May 2028. The caller also asked for the resident’s VIN number for their vehicle and their resident’s license plate. The resident hung up on the caller.
Feb 19 — A resident on 140th Street in Little Falls reported someone had taken about $2,500 from the resident’s bank account and that there were also $4,000 in charges on the resident’s credit card. The resident said an IT company had called them to get the information over the phone.
Feb. 20 — Someone smashed the mailboxes of a resident on 150th Avenue in Bowlus and two on 20th Street in Holdingford. Shoe prints were left at each of the scenes.
Feb. 20 — A resident on 205th Avenue in Little Falls reported a scam in which a caller from Kingston, Jamaica, wanted to know whether the resident received mail about Publishers Clearing House.
Feb. 22 — A resident on 70th Avenue in Cushing reported a scam in which someone called to say the resident’s grandson needed help.
Feb. 22 — Someone broke into two storage units on Highway 27 in Swanville.
Feb. 22 — A resident on Dove Road in Little Falls reported a theft.
Feb. 24 — A resident on 183rd Street in Little Falls lodged a property damage complaint.
Feb. 24 — A resident on Partridge Road in Pierz reported a case of fraud.
Feb. 26 — Someone stole road signs and the posts at the intersection of 193rd Street and 195th Street in Little Falls. A four-way crossing sign 300 feet north of the intersection was also stolen.
Feb. 29 — A yellow Dodge Dakota pickup was stolen from a residence on 390th Street in Pillager.
Feb. 29 — A business in Sobieski reported someone pumped $44.14 worth of gasoline and left without paying.
Feb. 29 — A resident on Main Street in Bowlus reported a theft.
Feb. 29 — A taxi service in Little Falls reported a person who called for a ride only paid half of the bill that was due. The driver threw the money at the driver, left and did not return.
Feb. 29 — Someone damaged a corn field at 143rd Street and 280th Avenue in Pierz, when they drove through it.
March 2 — Someone broke all the windows out of a vehicle set up for sale at a residence on North Highway 238 in Royalton.
March 2 — A resident on Cable Road in Little Falls reported a theft.
March 2 — Someone stole a dog chain and cut another at a residence on 140th Street in Swanville.

Feb. 12 — Someone cut copper lines and electrical wires to steal an air conditioning unit from a business located on 11th Street Northeast. The air conditioner was valued at $1,200.
Feb. 15 — Someone damaged the parking lot at the location of an organization on Broadway Avenue West.
Feb. 16 — Someone broke into a business on LeMieur Street and damaged a change machine valued at $2,550. About $50 in cash was also stolen from the machine.
Feb. 17 — Someone stole a Garmin GPS unit, valued at $150, from an unlocked pickup parked on Eighth Street Northwest.
Feb. 18 — Someone broke into a garage on Fourth Street Northwest and stole a silver mini-bike/pocket rocket bike valued at $300.
Feb. 18 — A resident on Prairie Drive reported a scam in which someone called to say the resident had an overdue balance on a credit card and asked for $199 from the resident’s checking account to pay the bill. The resident gave the information and the caller took $1,199 from the resident’s account.
Feb. 18 — Someone stole several outdoor Christmas decorations from a property on Highland Avenue. Stolen were 10 round wreaths with lights, a small tree with lights, santa hats and scarves, valued at about $50.
Feb. 20 — A resident on First Avenue Northeast lodged a property damage complaint.
Feb. 24 — Someone sprayed graffiti on the south side of the back wall of a business building on First Street Southeast.
Feb. 24 — Someone sprayed graffiti on the west side of a business on Broadway Avenue East.
Feb. 25 — A business on Third Street Northeast reported a theft.
Feb. 25 — Someone egged a house on 12th Street Southwest.
Feb. 25 — Someone egged a vehicle parked at a residence on 11th Street Southwest.
Feb. 26 — A resident on Lindbergh Drive South reported the theft of cash from a business credit card.        Feb. 26 — Someone used a forged check at a business on 18th Street Northeast.

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaints against the following people:
•    Chris Robert Laajala, 51, Cushing — In connection with a Feb. 11 incident, Laajala has been charged with one count of driving after cancellation and one count of fleeing a peace office by means other than a motor vehicle.
•    Brendon Lee Haglund, 29, Little Falls — In connection with a Feb. 6 incident, Haglund has been charged with one count of domestic assault and one count of emergency telephone calls/communications – interrupt, interfere, impede and disrupt 911 call.
•    Ashley Seon Mee Collins, 34, Little Falls — In connection with a Feb. 18 incident, Collins has been charged with one count of fourth degree assault of a peace officer.
•    John Michael Rezab, 39, Champlin — In connection with a Feb. 26 incident, Rezab has been charged with two counts of second degree DWI and one count of traffic collision.
•    Scott Douglas Syring, 45, Edina — In connection with a Feb. 26 incident, Syring has been charged with two counts of second degree DWI.
•    Suzanne Cecilia Rivetts, 62, Little Falls — In connection with a Jan. 1 incident, Rivetts has been charged with one count of third degree DWI and one count of fourth degree DWI.
•    Jeremiah John Francis, 28, Little Falls — In connection with a Jan. 16 incident, Francis has been charged with one count of driving after cancellation.
•    Travis Gene Anderson, 32, Little Falls — In connection with a Dec. 28, 2015, incident, Anderson has been charged with two counts of third degree DWI.
•    Tate Arthur Faehnrich, 36, Little Falls — In connection with a Feb. 24 incident, Faehnrich has been charged with one count of driving after cancellation.
•    Ryan Kenneth Christiansen, 39, Little Falls — In connection with a Feb. 27 incident, Christiansen has been charged with two counts of third degree DWI.
If found guilty, they could face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
The court will set their appearance date.

Carlee Rose Bollig, 17 Little Falls, was sentenced to a stayed prison sentence today after she pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the July 21, 2015 crash that killed Becker resident Charles Maurer and his 10-year-old daughter, Cassy back on Feb. 5.

Bollig will be on probation until the age of 21 with several stipulations. If violated, Bollig would serve her stayed prison sentence of 48 months for her first count and 69 months of her second count. As part of her probation, Bollig will be required to complete 240 hours of community service, with 10 percent of that dedicated to developing curriculum on safe driving and speaking to young drivers.

Following court, Bollig was to be transported to the port facility in Duluth to await her enrollment in a program at Woodland Hills, a juvenile justice and help facility in Duluth, another condition of her probation.

The Minnesota Supreme Court will release its decision in the Byron Smith murder case, Wednesday, March 9, at 10 a.m.

Smith, now 67, is serving two life sentences concurrently without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Haile Kifer, 18, and Nicholas Brady, 17. Smith shot the two after they broke into his Little Falls home on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2012.

Smith’s trial took place in Morrison County District Court in April 2014, with Judge Douglas Anderson presiding. The jury deliberated for three hours before offering its verdict.

The Supreme Court heard the case in September 2015. Defense attorney Steven Meshbesher asked that the Supreme Court dismiss Smith’s murder conviction or send the case back to court for a new trial, due to missteps in the trial, beginning with the evidence shown to the Grand Jury when it first indicted Smith on first-degree murder charges, and evidence not allowed to be heard in Morrison County District Court.

The case was prosecuted by Washington County Attorney Peter Orput and attorney Brent Wartner.

By Tyler Ohmann
Staff writer
tyler.ohmann@mcrecord.com

In front of a packed Sherburne County Court, Carlee Rose Bollig, 17, Little Falls, was sentenced to a stayed prison sentence March 4.  She pleaded guilty Feb. 5 to gross negligent vehicular homicide in the July 21, 2015 crash that killed Becker resident Charles Maurer and his 10-year-old daughter, Cassy.
“The only justice for the family would be to turn the clock back to July 20 (2015) and keep the memory of July 21, but I can’t do that,” said Judge Thomas D. Hayes. “I can provide modest reprieve to the family by sentencing Ms. Bollig.”
Bollig’s sentence, an extended juvenile jurisdiction (EJJ) will include being on probation until the age of 21 with several stipulations. If violated, Bollig would serve her stayed prison sentence of 69 months.
As part of her probation, Bollig will be required to complete 240 hours of community service, with 10 percent of that dedicated to developing curriculum on safe driving and speaking to young drivers.
Following court, Bollig was to be transported to the port facility in Duluth to await her enrollment in a long-term program at Woodland Hills, a juvenile justice and help facility in Duluth, another condition of her probation.

Families make an impact
The decision followed 13 impact statements from mostly family members of the victims, 10 of which were read aloud in court.
Many were tear-filled, including that of Alora Nelson, a friend that was in the vehicle the minivan Bollig hit July 21.
“Every time I step into a vehicle I remember that day,” Nelson said. “Carlee reminds me of a burglar, but instead of stealing my things, she stole my family.”
Nelson explained that she sustained a serious concussion, a severe knee injury to go along with several burns, cuts and scars.
The teenager also stated that she is losing sleep, jumpy, afraid to travel, worries about family, is afraid of re-injuring her knee or concussed head, has short term memory issues that are holding her back in school and severe headaches, which  have led to many missed days of school.
Other victims recommended that Bollig be forced to do community service to help prevent this from happening again.
A letter from Charles Maurer’s sister, Caroline, stated that the court should, “find a place where she can learn life lessons.”
Rhonda Maurer, a relative was distraught in reading her statement.
“On July 21, Ms. Bollig shattered my life into a million pieces,” Rhonda said. “Cassy had her whole life in front of her until Ms. Bollig stole it form her.”
“I know that there is no punishment that will be enough, but I feel she needs to feel the consequences,” Rhonda said. “She should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Bollig did not speak in court, but her attorney did provide an apology to the victims’ families.
“She is sorry, but we know these are only words,” said Bollig’s attorney Tom Richards. “She just wants a life. She just wants to move forward.”
Before delivering the sentence Hayes said, “My speech would be like smoke in the wind compared to the statements of family and friends of the individuals who are no longer with us.”
After he gave Bollig some advice.
“The best advice that can be given is to not let that person behind the wheel dictate who you’re going to be in the future,” Hayes said.

Additional probation
conditions
The following are some further conditions to Bollig’s probation:
• Remain law abiding;
•Take counseling until therapists deem it no longer necessary;
• Remain on all medications;
• Submit DNA;
• No firearms, ammunition or explosives for life
• Comply with zero mood altering substances during probation period;
• Complete program at Woodland Hills and follow any post-program recommendations; and
• No driving of a motor vehicle of any variety until the age of 21, and only then if properly licensed and trained.

Brenda Lee Rahn, 33, and Eric Adrian Blanco, 33 of Long Prairie, have each been charged with felony weapon possession and receiving stolen property.
After a gun was reported stolen Feb. 15, it was determined that Rahn and Blanco allegedly received the .40 caliber gun as payment for a debt.
Feb. 18, the Todd County Sheriff’s office used a warrant to conduct a search of the Rahn and Blanco household, which is located in Morrison County. During the search, officers located the alleged stolen weapon under a mattress in the master bedroom.
The gun in question belonged to a Todd County resident, whose son’s friend allegedly stole the gun to give to Rahn and Blanco as payment for a debt.
During the search a special agent also identified a notebook, which given his training, he alleged was a drug ledger. The notebook was seized as evidence.
Since both Rahn and Blanco had previously been convicted of what are deemed “violent crimes,” possession of a firearm is illegal.
If convicted, Rahn could receive up to 15 years and/or $30,000 for the weapons charge, and 20 years and/or $100,000 for receiving stolen property.
If convicted, Blanco could receive up to five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines for the felony weapon possession and up to 20 years in prison and/or $100,000 fine for the receiving stolen property charge.

The following people, charged with a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor level crime in Morrison County District Court, have recently been sentenced:

Gross Misdemeanors
•Andrew Robert Golden, 35, Little Falls (offense: 1/12/15) —  terrorist threats – reckless disregard risk, fined $385, sentenced to 10 days in jail and supervised probation for two years.
•    Adam Lee Rettke, 41, Brainerd (offense: 7/7/15) driving after cancellation, fined $135, sentenced to 194 days in jail.
•    Adam Anthony Lewis, 37, Little Falls (offense: 5/9/15) driving after cancellation, fined $385, sentenced to 15 days in jail and supervised probation for two years.

Misdemeanors
•    Timothy Michael Conrady, Jr., 46, Little Falls (offense: 1/16/16) — disorderly conduct, fined $135, sentenced to four days in jail.
•    Adam Anthony Lewis, 37, Little Falls (offense: 8/18/15) disorderly conduct – brawling or fighting, fined $95.
•    Jason Jay Porter, 36, Owatonna (offense: 4/4/13) theft -take/use/transfer movable property – without consent, fined $336.81.
•    Matthew James Conrad Spiess, 33, Brainerd; (offense: 4/13/15) domestic abuse – violate order for protection, fined $135, sentenced to four days in jail, fine concurrent with other case.
•    Mussette Ruby Wade, 41, White Earth (offense: 8/4/15) theft – take/use/transfer movable property – no consent, fined $135, sentenced to 15 days in jail.

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 Feb. 25 – March 8.

•    Christopher Thomas Buschette, Dalton.
•    Kevin Michael Desmet-Groseclose, Little Falls.
•    Starla Skye Eagle, Little Falls.
•    Shawn Jay Ferguson, Royalton.
•    Catarina Marie Gordon, Naytahwaush.
•    Zachary James Laird, Little Falls.
•    Jasmin Lea Line, Staples.
•    Zachary Donn Miller, Little Falls.
•    Macenzie Lee Olson, Little Falls.
•    Dustin Dean Quirk, Randall.
•    Brittany Lee Spence, Harris.
•    Shawn Steven Ulven, Minneapolis.

Tyler Michael Zabinski, 24, Holdingford, was convicted of felony attempted first degree burglary in connection with a Jan. 1, 2015 incident near Holdingford.
According to the criminal complaint Zabinski had attempted to break into a residence near Holdingford.         He later was spotted stealing a vehicle from a couple’s home after banging on their door.
He was also convicted of a gross misdemeanor count of theft in conjunction with this case.
For the gross misdemeanor, Zabinski was sentenced to five years supervised probation and a total of $385 in fees.
For the felony attempted burglary conviction, Zabinski was sentenced to a stay of  imposition for five years of probation with two conditions of 60 days in jail with four days credit for time served, and $1,247.19 in total fines and fees.

Feb. 28 — Someone slashed the tires on a vehicle at a residence on Sixth Street Northwest, causing $280 in damage.
Feb. 29 — A resident on Broadway West reported the theft of cash.
March 1 — A resident on Sixth Street Northeast reported a theft.
March 1 — Someone poked a hole in the right front tire of a vehicle parked at a residence on 11th Street Northeast.
March 1 — A resident on Sixth Street Southeast reported a scam in which someone posing as a relative on Facebook contacted the resident and began to attempt to solicit funds and account information.
March 2 — Someone stole a white decorative bike from a yard on Fourth Street Southwest.

Jerad Michael Whitford, 22, Little Falls, was convicted of a second degree controlled substance crime or sale of a narcotic in a school/park/public housing zone.
The conviction stems from a Nov. 18, 2014 incident where an informant purchased heroin from Whitford while police observed.
Whitford was sentenced to 30 days over the 75 days he has already served, which began March 3. He will also have to serve 30 days each Nov. 15, beginning in 2016 and each year until 2020.
He has the ability to petition the court each year for suspension depending on probation recommendations.
In addition to the jail time, Whitford was also sentenced to 25 years of probation and $485 in total fees.

March 3 — A resident on Dove Road in Holdingford reported a theft.
March 4 — A resident on Goodvin Road in Cushing reported a burglary.
March 4 — A resident on 140th Street in Swanville reported a theft.
March 4 — A resident on 320th Street in Cushing lodged a property damage complaint.
March 7 — A resident on 120th Avenue in Bowlus reported a case of identity theft. The resident received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating someone was trying to file a tax return in the resident’s name. The resident spoke with the Internal Revenue Service and was told no refund had been paid out and provided information for the resident regarding attempted fraud.
March 8 — Someone shot at two stop signs at the intersection of 183rd and 320th Avenue in Pierz.

Ross William Bryniarski, 27, Little Falls, was sentenced on a charge of felony escape from custody following a July 28, 2015 incident.
Bryniarski was given probation furlough to enter a treatment facility with the condition that if he left, he would be charged with escape and returned to jail.
He left the facility for several days, and didn’t return until Aug. 6.
Bryniarski was sentenced to 18 months in prison and $135 total fees. Bryniarski was also convicted of a Sept. 14, 2014 felony domestic assault. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and $135 in total fees.
Both sentences will run concurrently.

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaints against the following person:
•    Jennie Lee Czech, 35, Little Falls — In connection with a March 3 incident, Czech has been charged with one count of obstructing legal process with force and one count of driving after suspension.
If found guilty, she could face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
The court will set her appearance date.

The case in Morrison County District Court against Michael Joseph Dominguez, 30, Red Lake, was dismissed because the defendant is currently being indicted on federal drug trafficking charges.
Dominguez was pulled over on Highway 10 near Azure Road, Nov. 8, 2014.
After an officer noticed an odor of marijuana, a search of the vehicle found a chunk of heroin, more than a gram of marijuana and packages of U.S. currency in plastic baggies.
The federal charge holds a prison sentence of 108 to 135 months, a higher sentence than the felony fifth degree possession that would have gone through Morrison County Court, which is why the charges were dismissed.

The Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the 2014 first-degree murder conviction of Byron Smith. He was convicted in the shooting deaths of  teenage cousins Haile Kifer and Nick Brady, who broke into his home in Little Falls, Thanksgiving Day 2012.

The defense claimed self-defense and defense of home, but the prosecutors’ case centered on Smith’s pre-planning and that he continued to shoot the teens multiple times, even after they were no longer a threat to him.

Smith made an audio recording of the time before the burglary and both during and after the shootings. Portions of those recordings were heard by the jurors during trial.

Smith didn’t call law enforcement until the next day. The jury also heard Smith’s Mirandized statements to law enforcement.

Smith, now 67, is serving two concurrent life sentences, without the possibility of parole.

Smith, represented by Steven Meshbesher of Meshbesher and Associates, appealed the decision made by the 12 jurors in Morrison County District Court, citing errors made in the indictment process, prosecutorial misconduct and multiple errors he said were made by the district court.

The Supreme Court, which heard the case Sept. 3, 2015, also made a decision on the state’s appeal regarding restitution to the victims, and reversed the district court’s decision.

Judge Douglas Anderson determined restitution from Smith to the victims’ families should not include costs for headstones.

The Supreme Court agreed with the state that Smith’s restitution affidavit was not served to the state or the court at least five business days before the Aug. 26, 2014, restitution hearing.

The Supreme Court reversed the district court decision and issued an order restitution be awarded in the amount of $10,049.46 for Brady’s headstone and $9,400.16 for Kiefer’s.

Rulings made by the Supreme Court on defense allegations include:

“1. The district court did not err in denying the defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment based on five separate, individually alleged errors.

“2. The cumulative effect of the five alleged errors in the indictment process did not deprive the defendant of a fair grand-jury proceeding.

“3. The nonpublic proceeding to discuss the district court’s ruling on a pretrial evidentiary issue did not violate the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to a public trial.

“4. The district court did not violate the defendant’s constitutional right to present a complete defense by excluding four pieces of evidence.

“5. Because the prosecutor did not commit misconduct in closing argument, the district court did not err in failing to give a curative jury instruction.”

“We are surprised by the Court’s decision, and we are exploring our options,” Meshbesher said Wednesday, after the high court’s decision was made public.

The case was prosecuted by Washington County Attorney Peter Orput and attorney Brent Wartner, both acting as special assistants to the Morrison County Attorney’s Office.

A PDF file of the Supreme Court’s decision can be found here: Supreme Court Decision – Smith

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaints against the following people:

•Jeremy Jon Anderson, 42, Spring Lake Park — In connection with a March 10 incident, Anderson has been charged with one count of obstructing legal process with force.

•Joseph Vincent Ellis, 58, Randall — In connection with a March 12 incident, Ellis has been charged with one count of third degree DWI and one count of fourth degree DWI.

If found guilty, they could face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.

The court will set their appearance date.

Alan Jon Brodeson, 26, Little Falls was convicted Tuesday in Morrison County District Court of one felony count of fifth degree possession of heroin.

The conviction stems from an Oct. 1, 2015, incident where officers were notified of a possible overdose by Brodeson.

After Brodeson was revived and sent to the hospital officers observed a shoelace that was presumably used to wrap around Brodeson’s arm to shoot up heroin.

Also on the bed was a section of a soda can turned upside down with a small filter on top. The filter contained heroin.

Nearby was an eyeglass case containing numerous hypodermic needles as well as two small Ziploc baggies, one of which contained approximately .45 grams of heroin. The other baggie contained heroin residue.

Brodeson was sentenced to 13 months in prison with a five-year stayed sentence, and given 80 days credit for time served, and ordered to pay $185 in fees.