Kimberly Richard Lucken, 60, Pierz, was given a stay of adjudication Wednesday, in his felony domestic assault case. Another felony charge for making terroristic threats was dismissed

On Nov. 9, 2015, law enforcement responded to a report of a domestic assault in Pierz. Officers on the scene met with a victim, who appeared extremely scared. The victim’s voice was raspy and officers noted red marks on her neck. She said that Lucken had choked her.

The victim said she had lived with Lucken for eight years and that earlier in the day, he had struck her in the head before leaving to go hunting. The victim said there had been arguments with Lucken, which had recently gotten worse.

The victim said that Lucken threatened to “shoot her dead,” although he was not holding a gun at the time. The victim said she left the room and locked the door, but Lucken forced the door open with a knife and came after her, allegedly choking her for a minute or more so that the victim had trouble breathing and was in fear for her life. Photographs were taken of the red marks on the victim’s neck, from Lucken’s hands.

An officer assisting in the arrest noted that Lucken appeared to be intoxicated, and had an odor of alcohol coming from him.

In a statement, Lucken said that he had returned home from hunting around 9:30 p.m. and the victim was in the residence. Lucken said he had exchanged some words with her and then went to bed and did not wake up until law enforcement called. At the time, he denied any physical altercation.

Lucken pleaded guilty to the domestic assault by strangulation charge as part of a plea agreement.

He was sentenced to 32 days in jail, with two days credited for time served. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised probation and was fined $50.

Jeffrey George Kovarik, 28, Little Falls, was charged Sept. 6 in Morrison County District Court with a felony for wrongfully obtaining assistance.

According to the criminal complaint, Kovarik failed to disclose he was  applying for and later received benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs when he applied for and received public assistance from Morrison County over a number of years, beginning in 2012.

Kovarik allegedly received more than $23,000 in funds from May 2012 to March 2016, he wouldn’t have been eligible for had the county known he was receiving income from the VA.

In April, investigators interviewed Kovarik about the case and Kovarik allegedly told them someone had told him he didn’t have to disclose he was receiving VA benefits.

According to court documents, he allegedly said he had signed the forms and that he knew what he did was wrong and that he wanted to repay the overpayment he received.

If convicted, Kovarik faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

Christopher Lee Cannon, 28, St. Paul, was charged Monday with two felonies for domestic assault and domestic assault by strangulation.

On Sept. 23, an officer with the Little Falls Police Department responded to a domestic dispute.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim stated her husband, Cannon, who she hadn’t seen for more than a month, arrived at her place of work before returning with her to her residence for dinner and a movie.

Later, Cannon allegedly saw something on the victim’s phone he didn’t like and attacked her, attempting to choke her with a belt and a cord.

He also allegedly said he would bury her under the home.

Court documents say there were a few marks on the victim’s neck.

Officers found Cannon, who had allegedly fled on foot, near the Little Falls High School.

Cannon was arrested for domestic assault and a warrant out of Hennepin County.

Cannon was charged with felony domestic assault because of multiple previous domestic violence convictions over the past 10 years.

If convicted of both felonies, Cannon could face up to eight years in prison, and/or $15,000 in fines.

Vincent Reanell Harris, 29, St. Paul, was charged Sept. 6 in Morrison County District Court with felony domestic abuse, violating order of protection.

On June 23, an individual in Morrison County who has an order of protection against Harris, told the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department she had received an email and two phone calls allegedly from Harris, while he was in the Dakota County Jail.

After the Sheriff’s Department contacted Dakota County, an investigation showed Harris allegedly obtained the telephone PIN number from another inmate, and then placed the two calls.

According to the criminal complaint, the caller didn’t identify himself, but is believed to be Harris and the female being called is believed to be the victim.

Harris has multiple prior convictions over the last 10 years for qualified domestic violence charges, leading to him being charged with the felony.

Harris failed to appear at a hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

If convicted, Harris faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Jacob Thomas McElmurry, 20, Dayton, was given a stay of adjudication in his felony fifth degree drug possession case, Sept. 21.

On May 21, a state trooper of the Minnesota State Patrol pulled McElmurry over for speeding. He allegedly told law enforcement that he had no reason to be speeding and admitted he was going 80 mph.

McElmurry was shaking and was reaching toward and looking  at the center console.

Once the trooper noticed this and the smell of marijuana, McElmurry admitted there was marijuana in the car.

During a search of the vehicle, the trooper found two sandwich bags. According to the criminal complaint, one carried 15 grams of marijuana buds while a second contained a pill that tested positive as methamphetamine.

McElmurry pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement and was given a stay of adjudication.

He was sentenced to 30 days of local confinement, to be served both in jail and in home confinement, and was given four days credited for time served. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised probation and fined $300.

A felony synthetic cannabinoids sale charge against Pamela Jo Phelps, 56, Little Falls, was dismissed Sept. 14.

The charge stems from an Oct. 14, 2015, investigation by the Little Falls Police Department and the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force.

After the police had received numerous reports stating that persons were allegedly selling synthetic cannabinoids at the residence of Phelps, the task force and the police obtained a search warrant.

When the search warrant was executed, officers allegedly found items consistent with the use and sale of synthetic cannabinoids including: baggies containing what appeared to be synthetic marijuana, a small scale, small baggies and a glass jar with what appeared to be marijuana.

Following the search, Phelps allegedly admitted to selling synthetic marijuana out of her house at a rate of about an ounce every couple weeks.

Assistant County Attorney Michel Chisum said the court ruled Phelps couldn’t be charged with the felony possession/sale charge.

While the felony charge was dismissed, Phelps pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor possession of synthetic cannabinoids and was convicted.

Phelps was sentenced to $135 in fines and one year of supervised probation.

Two teenage girls were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries Sunday, Oct. 2, when the ATV they were driving collided with a minivan in Northwest in Little Falls.

The Little Falls Police Department said the accident occurred about 2:25 p.m., when Steven Anastasion, 59, of Little Falls was traveling north on Eighth Street Northwest in a minivan, The ATV, driven by Paige Taylor, 18, was traveling west on a recreational trail in the 600 block of Eighth Street Northwest. The Little Falls Police Department said the ATV did not yield the right of way to the Anastasion vehicle and the two collided.

Taylor, and her passenger, Emma Goecken, 16, of Little Falls, were both ejected from the ATV and transported to the hospital.

Police arrested a Little Falls man Tuesday on suspicion of stealing  a truck and an ATV.

The ATV was reported stolen from a residence west of Little Falls Tuesday evening. Later that same evening, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department also received a report of a stolen two-ton chipper truck from the same area. Both vehicles were located Wednesday.

The Sheriff’s Department said it believes the suspect stole the truck first, before getting it stuck in a remote field.

Later, law enforcement said a resident’s trail camera near where the ATV was stolen took a picture of the suspect driving along on the ATV.

Police say a witness also said the suspect stopped at his residence on the ATV to ask for directions.

According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department, Bryce Tschida, 25, Little Falls was identified as the suspect and arrested on an outstanding warrant,  and probable cause for theft  in Little Falls.

Tschida is being held in the Morrison County Jail pending formal charges.

Tschida is also facing felony theft charges related to an incident last month.

The Little Falls Police Department assisted the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.

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

Gross Misdemeanors

• David John Kuklok, 38, Little Falls; (offense: 8/27/2016) DWI, fined $615, sentenced to 45 days in jail and supervised probation for four years. Dismissed against Kuklok was one gross misdemeanor count of DWI.
• Susan Kaye Mack, 57,  (offense: 6/8/2016) dismissed against Mack was one gross misdemeanor count of driving after cancellation.
• Shawn Ronald Baker, 24, St. Cloud; (offense: 7/20/15) sale or possession of synthetic cannabinoids, fined $135, sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for two years.
• Randy James Heltemes, 51, Ramsey; (offense: 8/11/2016) DWI, fined $585, sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for four years.
• William Lee Suszka, 56, Little Falls; (offense: 3/25/2016) third degree DWI, fined $953.25, sentenced to 60 days in jail and supervised probation for six years. Dismissed against Suszka was one gross misdemeanor count of third degree DWI.

Randy David Weimer, 35, Becker, was convicted of felony domestic assault by strangulation Monday.

On July 30, officers received a report of a potential domestic assault in rural Morrison County.

When officers arrived, they met with and took a statement from the victim, who was visibly upset and crying hysterically. Officers also observed that both her lips were swollen, she had blood on the side of her mouth and appeared to have road rash on both arms.

The victim said she and Weimer, a family member, had been out drinking at a bar, and when they got home the pair got into an argument and Weimer became enraged.

The victim said that a physical altercation began, and that she was choked by Weimer, which caused severe neck and spinal pain.

Officers also spoke with Weimer at the scene, who had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, had slurred speech and admitted to drinking.

Weimer also admitted to being on probation for second degree assault, for which he wasn’t allowed to drink. He claimed that the victim jumped on him and tried to choke him, but officers noted he did not have any marks on him, and arrested him for domestic violence.

Weimer was previously convicted of second degree assault on the same victim in Stearns County in 2014.

Weimer was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was fined $135.

He was also convicted of a misdemeanor for violating a no contact order and was sentenced to 90 days in jail to be served concurrently with his prison sentence.

Gabriel Steven Iserman, 40, Onamia, was convicted Wednesday of one felony for possessing a forged check with the intent to defraud.

The check forgery began when Iserman opened a checking account at a Pierz bank, and deposited $50, Jan. 15.

The following day, another suspect allegedly pulled through the drive through and requested to deposit a $400 check into Iserman’s account.

The day after that, both Iserman and the other suspect came back to the bank drive through and requested and received $400 from Iserman’s account.

On Jan. 19, Iserman and the other suspect came back through the drive through and asked the teller to cash a $700 check, requesting $600 in cash and the rest deposited into his account.

Iserman was identified by his driver’s license and through bank security video.

The person that had written the checks cashed by the two said that the checks were stolen and the signature was forged.

The victim signed affidavits of forgery, and the criminal complaint states that “it is readily apparent” that the victim’s signatures “bear no resemblance to the signature on the checks that were cashed,” by the defendants.

Iserman pleaded guilty and was given a stay of imposition.

He was sentenced to 89 days and received credit for 89 days served.

He was also sentenced to five years of supervised probation and $1,085 in fines and restitution to the victim.

Elizabeth Rose Gabrielson, 24, Little Falls, was charged in Morrison County District Court Sept. 6 with one felony count of offering a forged check with the intent to defraud.

On June 29, a Benton County Sheriff’s Deputy reported a case involving forged checks being used at numerous Central Minnesota stores. Two of the checks were used at a Little Falls business.

On May 31, Gabrielson allegedly used one of the fraudulent checks to purchase merchandise at the business. According to the criminal complaint, the check was for an account held by a St. Cloud resident who was the victim of identity theft.

Then, on June 1, Gabrielson allegedly returned to the store and purchased $283.93 of merchandise using a check from a different person’s account.

According to the criminal complaint, video surveillance showed a woman matching Gabrielson’s physical description making both transactions.

If convicted, Gabrielson faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Charles Scott Janson, 30,  Little Falls was charged in Morrison County District Court Sept. 29, with one felony count of second degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 13 and where there is more than a  three-year age difference.

On July 8, the Little Falls Police Department received a report of possible criminal sexual conduct on a 4-year-old.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim allegedly told authorities she had touched Janson once and had asked him not to touch her.

When authorities spoke to Janson, he said he allegedly used methamphetamine when he was around the victim once.

According to the criminal complaint, Janson said he didn’t remember the incident, but said if it had happened, it would have occurred the previous summer.

Later, Janson allegedly acknowledged he had touched the victim in an inappropriate place, and acknowledged what he did was wrong and that he was sorry about it the next day.

If convicted, Janson faces up to 25 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine.

Sept. 23 — A business on Haven Road reported receiving multiple bad checks.

Sept. 23 — A resident on Fifth Avenue Southeast reported damage done to their property.

Sept. 25 — A resident on Ann Marie Circle reported a scam in which their cellphone had been locked and displayed a screen stating the FBI had locked the device for safety purposes. It also stated the resident had three days to pay a $500 fine or be subject to criminal charges.

Sept. 25 — A resident on Third Avenue Northeast reported someone had stolen their vehicle.

Sept. 26 — A resident on First Street Northeast reported someone trashed their rental property.

Sept. 26 — A resident on First Street Southeast reported the theft of a GPS and some change.

Sept. 26 — A resident on Fourth Street Southeast reported the theft of a boat motor.

Sept. 26 — A resident on Fourth Street Northeast reported a scam.

Sept. 27 — Someone stole a 20-inch blue and silver Mongoose bike from a residence on Buck Lane.

Sept. 27 — A business on Second Avenue Northeast reported someone had thrown a squash at the window.

Sept. 28 — A church on 13th Avenue Northeast reported a burglary.

Sept. 28 — A resident on Taylor Drive reported a scam in which someone wanted the resident to pay attorneys’ fees for their grandson who was in trouble with the law, as well as a bail fee.

Sept. 29 — A resident on Seventh Street Northeast reported a scam in which a person called and had their Social Security Number and wanted the resident to send money.

Sept. 29 — A resident on First Avenue Northeast reported a theft.

Sept. 29 — Someone stole three chop saws and a couple of blowers from a work truck parked in the owner’s yard on 213th Street in Pierz.

Sept. 29 — A resident on Patridge Pass in Randall reported someone had stolen their identity.

Sept. 30 — A resident on Dove Road in Little Falls reported a theft.

Sept. 30 — A resident on 113th Street in Pierz reported someone had stolen the license plate off their vehicle.

Oct. 2 — A resident on 168th Street in Pierz reported a theft.

Oct. 3 — A resident on Walnut Avenue in Upsala reported a scam in which they continue to get a bill from a business in Wisconsin for $29.99, but have had no dealings with the business.

Oct. 3 — A resident on 330th Avenue in Foley reported someone had stolen their driver’s license.

Oct. 4 — A resident on 450th Street in Bowlus reported a theft.

Oct. 4 — A resident on Grouse Road in Little Falls reported a scam.

Oct. 4 — A resident on Broadway East reported a case of fraud.

Oct. 4 — A resident on 110th Street in Little Falls reported a theft.

A Little Falls man and woman were arrested Oct. 5, as the result of a search warrant was executed by the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task, Morrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Little Falls Police Department.

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office said the search warrant was executed in response to an investigation that took place after a tip was called in regarding drug activity at the residence.

Investigators established probably cause and obtained a warrant to search the home where Lauren Dauphinais, 30, and Jason Foster, 36, were found and taken into custody. Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, along with a large amount of cash were sized from the residence, the Sheriff’s Department said.

In addition, a young child was removed from the house and placed into foster care for health and safety purposes.

Dauphinais and Foster are facing possible charges for drug possession and child endangerment.

The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Morrison, Todd, Benton, Stearns and Sherburne County Sheriff’s Offices and the Little Falls, St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids Police Departments.

Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers want to remind the public to continue reporting suspicious or suspected drug activity. The Morrison County Drug Tip Line is available to leave anonymous messages. The local number is 632-0377 and the toll-free number is 1 (888) 378-4847.

A Randall man was arrested Oct. 6 in connection with the burglary of Alliance Church in Little Falls.

The Little Falls Police Department (LFPD) said it responded Sept. 28 to the report of a suspicious person near Pine Tree Boulevard and a male individual was located near a residence.

At about the same time, the LFPD received a report that someone had forced entry into Alliance Church by breaking out a window. Several items were reported stolen, including a projector and a PA system.

The LFPD said the male individual located near Pine Tree Boulevard allegedly said while he didn’t burglarize the church, he knew who did and told investigators the items stolen were located at the home of Robert Sowada, 24, who lives in Randall.

The LFPD conducted a search warrant at Sowada’s residence and allegedly found a number of items that had been stolen from Alliance Church, but Sowada was not there.

Sowada was located at his residence Oct. 6, and taken into custody. He has been charged by the Morrison County Attorney’s Office with second degree burglary and receiving stolen property, both felonies.

The investigation was conducted by the Little Falls and Randall Police Departments, Central Minnesota Violent Offenders Task Force and the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Larry Burian McClendon Jr., 46, Perham, was charged with felony fifth degree controlled substance possession in Morrison County District Court, Wednesday.

Around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, a Minnesota State Patrol Officer stopped a SUV in Little Falls with no license plates on it.

A piece of paper taped to the window was a North Dakota 30-day registration permit dated Aug. 1.

The patrolman identified the driver as McClendon Jr., and found his license was canceled and there were warrants out for his arrest.

When McClendon was placed under arrest and searched, a chewing tobacco can was found and McClendon allegedly said there was methamphetamine in it.

According to the criminal complaint, a small plastic baggie with a powder that field-tested positive as meth was found in the can.

Once the two passengers had exited the vehicle, law enforcement searched it and allegedly found two meth pipes and a baggie of meth in the center console. McClendon allegedly said one of the pipes was his.

Marijuana and a paper envelope containing $1,725 in cash were allegedly found in the second row.

He was also charged with  a gross misdemeanor for driving after his license was cancelled. McClendon was preciously convicted of two possession cases in 2014 and 2015.

If convicted of the felony, McClendon faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Bryce Mark Tschida, 25, Little Falls, was charged with two counts of felony theft and one felony count of receiving stolen property in Morrison County District Court, Oct. 7.

On Oct. 4, around 7 p.m., an ATV was reported stolen from a property in Morrison County. A trail camera had allegedly caught footage of Tschida on the red ATV.

On Oct. 5, law enforcement spoke with a person who said someone on a red ATV had come to his house asking for directions.

The ATV was located that same day in a field.

Then, law enforcement received a report of a stolen chipper truck.

According to the criminal complaint, someone had gone through a property and broken into vehicles, damaging two side mirrors where fingerprints were discovered. An unknown bicycle was also found on the property.

After one of the truck’s owners and another man found Tschida in a vehicle on the west side of Little Falls, Tschida allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and fled on a bicycle.

The two later saw Tschida ride into a wooded area wearing a backpack. When Tschida later rode out of the area he didn’t have the backpack.

Police arrived on the scene and arrested Tschida. One of the victim’s debit  and insurance identification cards was found in the backpack after a search of the woods. resulted in the backpack being found.

The truck was found abandoned in a field.

If convicted of all charges, Tschida faces up to five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines for each charge.

Walter Russell Johnson, 52, Little Falls, was charged  in Morrison County District Court Monday, with one felony count of receiving stolen property.

On Oct. 7, the Little Falls Police Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle.

The victim allegedly identified Johnson as a possible suspect due to a previous relationship between the two.

According to the criminal complaint, Johnson originally told the victim he  didn’t know where the vehicle was, but later showed her  the vehicle was parked at an apartment building in Little Falls.

The vehicle was allegedly located where Johnson said it was and the victim had never said he could take it.

Court documents say when police arrested Johnson, he said someone else had taken the vehicle.

The keys to the vehicle were allegedly in Johnson’s possession.

If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.