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

Gross Misdemeanors

• Luke Spencer Straw, 33, Little Falls; (offense: 6/9/2016) third degree DWI, fined $385, sentenced to 30 days in jail and supervised probation for four years. Dismissed against Straw was one count of third degree DWI.
• James Joseph Heinz, 23, Pierz; (offense: 7/21/2016) second degree DWI, fined $415, sentenced to 45 days in jail and supervised probation for four years. Dismissed against Heinz was one count of second degree DWI.
• Scott Robert Kalis, 45, Royalton; (offense: 2/20/2016) second degree DWI, fined $185, sentenced to 30 days in jail and supervised probation for six years. Dismissed against Kalis was one count of second degree DWI.
• Rodney Willard Meech, 49, Browerville; (offense: 1/30/2016) second degree DWI, fined $415, sentenced to 30 days in jail and supervised probation for four years. Dismissed against Meech was one  count of third degree DWI, one  count of driving after revocation and one  count of giving peace officer a false name.

Misdemeanors

• Cassandra Lynn Kuchinski, 33, Little Falls;  (offense: 7/14/2016) fifth degree assault or attempt bodily harm, fined $185.
• Michael Edward Rausch, 54, Randall; (offense: 12/27/2015) fourth degree DWI, fined $385, sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for two years. Dismissed against Rausch was one gross misdemeanor count of second degree DWI.
• Daniel Jason Johnson, 36, Burtrum; (offense: 3/19/2016) DWI – fourth degree driving while impaired, fined $415,  supervised probation for two years. Dismissed against Johnson was one count of third degree DWI.
• Barry Lynn Russell, 55, Little Falls; (offense: 8/20/2016) traffic regulation – driver must carry proof of insurance when operating a vehicle, fined $135, sentenced.

•             Thomas Lloyd Schaefer, 20, Isle; (offense: 8/11/2016) DWI, fined $560, sentenced to three days in jail and supervised probation for two years. Dismissed against Schaefer was one count of DWI.

Oct. 6 — A resident on 150th Avenue in Bowlus reported a scam in which the resident received a phone message from a person claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service asking for a return call. When the resident returned the call the person started asking personal questions.

Oct. 7 — A resident on First Street North in Flensburg reported a case of fraud in which someone on Facebook said the resident won some money and needed to send $430 to claim it. The resident received a message that the company handling the prize money needed the resident to sent $1,500 to cover the tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. The resident figured it was a scam, but had already sent the $430.

Oct. 7 — Someone stole two scarecrows, valued at $20, from a residence on 13th Street Northwest in Little Falls.

Oct. 9 — A resident on 30th Street in Holdingford reported someone had made holes in the tin on their machine shed, possibly from a gun.

Oct. 11 — A business on Highway 27 in Hillman reported receiving a bad check.

Oct. 12 — A resident on Grouse Road in Little Falls reported a case of fraud in which their debit card had been used on a website in the amount of $163.32 for a transaction they did not make.

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 Sept. 27 – Oct. 10.

• Michael Jon Ellis, Osakis.
• Ryan James Hansen, Motley.
• Michael Allen Henry, Royalton.
• Josef James Kamen, Brainerd.
• Virginia Louise Klemish, Little Falls.
• Jesse Daniel Kriesel, Little Falls.
• Jeffrey Gordon Sabourin, Crosslake.
• Anthony Scott Schmolke, Little Falls.
• Bryant Clayton Stanifer, Minneapolis.
• Scott Allen Steffen, Little Falls.
• Jeremy Lee Wickham, Brainerd.

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaints against the following people:
• Christopher John Bednar, 27, Little Falls — In connection with a Sept. 25 incident, Bednar has been charged with one count of giving a peace officer the false name of another person.
• Charles Wayne Lickteig, 66, Little Falls — In connection with an Oct. 7 incident, Lickteig has been charged with one count of driving after cancellation.
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.

Dean Arnold Gangl, 49, Richmond, was charged in Morrison County District Court Monday, with one felony charge for fifth degree controlled substance possession.

At nearly 1 a.m., Oct. 9, a member of the Royalton Police Department stopped a vehicle after it went over the fog line several times on Highway 10.

The driver, identified as Gangl, allegedly gave a false name when asked. According to the criminal complaint, Gangl said he didn’t have insurance and that he had left his license at home.

Court documents say Gangl failed the field sobriety tests the officer had him do. He also allegedly said he had used illegal drugs as recently as two days prior to the incident.

When the officer searched Gangl’s vehicle he found a bag allegedly containing .9 grams of methamphetamine.

At the Morrison County Jail, Gangl allegedly said he had used a fake name because he wanted to have a cigarette before he was arrested.

Law enforcement found two active warrants for Gangl, a suspended driver’s license and multiple prior convictions for failing to provide proof of insurance.

Gangl was also charged with misdemeanors for giving a false name to law enforcement, driving after suspension and not carrying proof of insurance.

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

Robert Andrew Sowada, 24, Royalton, was charged with felony charges for theft and receiving stolen property Oct. 7 in Morrison County District Court.

According to the criminal complaint, early in the morning of Sept. 28, a man found near a burglarized Alliance Church in Little Falls said Sowada had taken his vehicle to the church to steal items.

When the witness went to the church to get his vehicle, he allegedly saw Sowada inside the church taking items.

The witness and Sowada had an argument wherein the witness demanded his keys back, and allegedly saw several stolen items in his car.

According to the criminal complaint, when headlights approached the witness fled the scene because he was afraid he would be implicated in the theft.

When law enforcement searched Sowada’s home, they allegedly found stolen items from the church, including a projector, a dehumidifier and a professional sound system, but were unable to locate Sowada.

Sowada was later arrested, Oct. 6 at his residence.

If convicted of both felonies, he faces up to 15 years in prison and/or $30,000 in fines.

Oct. 2 — Someone stole a boys’ black, blue and white BMC bicycle with orange handle bars, valued at $100, from a yard on Second Street Southeast.
Oct. 2 — A business on Second Avenue Northeast reported a theft.
Oct. 4 — A resident on Broadway East reported someone had fraudulently used their name to purchase two firearms.
Oct. 6 — A resident on 210th Avenue in Little Falls reported a scam.
Oct. 6 — A business on 18th Street Northeast reported a theft.
Oct. 7 — A resident on Fifth Avenue Southeast reported the theft of a vehicle.
Oct. 8 — A resident on Caroline Lane reported someone put paint on their garage.
Oct. 9 — A resident on Eighth Street Northeast reported a theft.
Oct. 10 — A business on First Avenue Northeast reported a theft.
Oct. 10 — Someone stole $15 from a vehicle while it was parked at the owner’s home on Seventh Street Southwest.
Oct. 10 — A resident on First Avenue Northeast reported a theft.
Oct. 10 — A resident on Harness Road reported a theft.
Oct. 11 — Someone stole two bicycles from a location on First Street Southeast.
Oct. 11 — A resident on LeMieur Street reported someone had drilled a hole in their gas tank and stole some gasoline.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating two stolen trailers.

During the early morning hours of Tuesday, Oct. 18, two trailers were stolen from a residence in the 5400 block of 105th Ave NE in Gilmanton Township, near Foley.

Stolen was a black 2003 Pick’s Welding brand skid steer trailer with fold up ramps, Minnesota license CMT8375, and a 2003 Felling brand 14 foot dump trailer, Minnesota license CLT6431. Two suspect vehicles were seen in the area
and were both described as pickup trucks. One truck was noted to be louder than the other.

Anyone with information about this crime or the suspects is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 255-1301, www.tricountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting TRITIP to 274637.

Stephen Michael Ferrari Burke, 38, Little Falls has been charged with felony fifth degree controlled substance sale and possession. He was also charged with gross misdemeanors for child endangerment and owning or operating a disorderly house.

On Oct. 12, law enforcement went to Burke’s home after a report of possible vehicle tampering was made.

As officers approached the home, they were able to see Burke and others sitting around a table, with Burke holding a bag allegedly containing marijuana. There were also numerous other bags allegedly filled with marijuana on the table.

After freezing the scene and gaining a search warrant, law enforcement allegedly found over $2,000 in cash, different types of marijuana and scales, a loaded handgun and a pay/owe ledger describing sales.

According to the criminal complaint, the packets of marijuana were individually labelled and contained high quality, exotic marijuana buds not often found in the area. Court documents said there were approximately 20 different strains of marijuana, weighing over 1,000 grams.

Burke’s 16-year-old child was found in the residence, and allegedly a bag used to transport marijuana was found in the child’s room. According to the criminal complaint, it’s unknown whether or not the child was storing or using the drugs.

Burke allegedly admitted to officers he was dealing marijuana in the area.

Court documents said investigators believe Burke brought the marijuana into Little Falls, before packaging and selling it in the area.

If convicted of the two felonies, Burke faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine for each charge.

Oct. 14 — A resident on Highway 27 in Swanville reported an $80 check they lost had been cashed fraudulently.

Oct. 15 — A business on Highway 10 South in Motley reported someone pumped gasoline and didn’t pay for it.

Oct. 15 — A resident and business owner on Highway 27 in Pierz reported someone had run into a power pole near the business and home and then into their fence, breaking a post.

Oct. 15 — A resident on Azure Road in Cushing reported someone had siphoned about five gallons of diesel fuel out of one of their trucks.

Oct. 15 — A resident on Dove Road in Little Falls reported the theft of checks from their resident.

Oct. 15 — A resident on Dove Road in Little Falls reported the theft of three guns from their residence. The guns include a Stroeger .410 over and under shotgun, with a wooden stock, valued at $900; a 2-22 caliber Remington tube feed semi-automatic guns with wooden stock, valued at $400, and a Remington 3-870 12-gauge with a slug barrel and wooden stock, valued at $300.

Oct. 16 — A resident on Harness Road in Little Falls reported someone stole their vehicle, which had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition. The vehicle was later found to have been involved in an accident in Benton County.

Oct. 17 — A resident on East Cottonwood Drive in Cushing reported the theft of their pontoon trailer.

Oct. 18 — A resident on Carter Lane in Little Falls reported a check scam/fraud. The resident received a check from a business out of North Caroline for $8,000 for equipment the resident was selling to someone else. The resident called the company and learned that they were the eighth person to call regarding a suspicious check from that company.

Oct. 19 — A resident on Timber Lane in Randall reported that they had not received their property tax return for the year. When the resident checked with the state, they learned someone else filed a property tax return in July, but it wasn’t the resident. The resident reported someone was attempting to steal their identity.

Oct. 19 — A resident on 93rd Street in Hillman reported a scam in which a pop-up appeared on their computer instructing them to call a number or they would lose everything on their computer. The resident called and spoke with a male who told the resident they would have to pay and give their credit card number.

Lance David Pillard, 19, Brooten, was convicted Oct. 14 in Morrison County District Court for felony third degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 16 years of age.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received a report that Pillard was detained by his probation officer Dec. 30, 2015.

The probation officer found pornographic images of Pillard and a juvenile female.

The victim was identified, and had turned 16 in October 2015. The videos that showed Pillard and the victim engaging in sexual conduct were dated Sept. 14, 2015.

The meta data collected from the phone’s GPS showed that the videos were taken in Pierz.

The Pierz Police Department took over the investigation and found that Pillard had lived with the victim and her mother from Sept. 5 to Oct. 7, 2015, but had not been back since.

The Pierz police interviewed the victim, who said that she met Pillard at a party in May and that two or three months later had sexual relations with him numerous times.

Pillard originally pleaded not guilty to first degree criminal sexual conduct, before changing his plea to guilty of third degree criminal sexual conduct as part of a plea agreement.

Pillard was sentenced to one year in jail, and given credit for 253 days served. He was also sentenced to 15 years of supervised probation and $372.87 in fines and is required to register as a predatory offender.

A gross misdemeanor charge against Pillard for violating a restraining order was dismissed.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Christopher Lawrence Maclean, 33, Onamia, who was charged with felony theft Oct. 14, in Morrison County District Court.

On Sept. 5, a victim reported two mirrors, valued at $400 each, and a $250 GPS were stolen from his truck, which had been parked at a business in Richardson Township in Morrison County.

The next day, law enforcement and the business owner reviewed security tapes and allegedly saw Maclean go to two parked vehicles and steal the stereo CD systems, valued at $100  each, from them.

Maclean allegedly then went to the victim’s vehicle and stole the GPS and mirrors.

As of publication, Maclean has not been found. According to the criminal complaint, Maclean’s family members said he is aware law enforcement is looking for him and has left the area.

Those with information as to the whereabouts of Maclean are asked to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233 or toll-free at 1 (866) 401-1111, ext. 180.

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

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

Gross Misdemeanors

• Rodney Willard Meech, 49, Browerville; (offense: 1/30/2016) second degree DWI, fined $415, sentenced to 30 days in jail and supervised probation for four years. Dismissed against Meech was gross misdemeanors counts of third degree DWI, driving after cancellation and giving peace officer false name.

Misdemeanors

• Terrence James Lewis, 21, Big Lake; (offense: 3/1/2016) damage to property, fined $921, sentenced to one year supervised probation.

•             James Claude Sura, Jr., 46, Little Falls; (offense: 9/17/2016) accidents – collision with unattended vehicle – notify victim or police, fined $285.

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 Oct. 5 – 18.

• Jonelle Pamela Barker, Motley.
• Christopher John Bednar, Little Falls.
• Hamia Steven Boos, Bemidji.
• Gordon Lee Coffelt, Sr., Little Falls.
• Lauren Alyson Daigle, Grand Rapids.
• Michael Jon Ellis, Osakis.
• Umpo Wamblee Goodman, Minneapolis.
• Jeremy Jacob Linnerud, Little Falls.
• Christopher Lawrence Maclean, Onamia.
• Jeremy Louis Petschl, Waconia.
• Joseph MacArthur Rivard, St. Michael.
• Amanda Lynn Scherping, Little Falls.
• Micah Milon Tanner, Motley.
• Jeremy Lee Wickham, Brainerd.

A St. Cloud man was arrested Monday, Oct. 24, in connected with a burglary at a home in Little Falls Township.

Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen said charges are pending against Jermain Mallin, 26, St. Cloud, for his involvement in a residential burglary on Highway 27, east of Little Falls.

Larsen said at approximately 4:43 p.m., a homeowner called the sheriff’s office and reported their residence was just burglarized.  The suspect had entered the residence when no one was home, went through the kitchen cupboards and refrigerator, stealing some food and money.

While the homeowner was on their way home, they met a man walking on Hawthorne Road north of Highway 27.  Morrison County deputies were able to locate the man, who matched the description of an earlier suspicious person complaint near 160th Avenue in Little Falls Township.  The man was identified as Mallin.

Deputies allegedly found some of the stolen items Mallin, and were able to connect him to the residential burglary on Highway 27,. Mallin was placed under arrest for burglary and is being held in Morrison County Jail pending formal charges.

A Waite Park man is at St. Gabriel’s Hospital after his vehicle rolled over into a ditch south of Little Falls Wednesday afternoon.

John Strom Jr., 30, Waite Park was turning into a used car lot on Haven Road, south of Little Falls, when the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office said he lost control of his vehicle and rolled into a ditch.

Strom was taken to the hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance. He is being treated for unknown injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Little Falls Police Department, Little Falls Fire Department, the Minnesota State Patrol and Gold Cross Ambulance.

Oct. 13 — Someone stole log books from a hangar at the Little Falls/Morrison County Airport.

Oct. 14 — A business on First Street Northeast reported a burglary.

Oct. 14 — A resident on Buck Lane reported the theft of a license plate.

Oct. 14 — A resident on Hilton Road reported their identity had been stolen.

Oct. 17 — A business on Second Avenue Northeast reported a theft.

Oct. 17 — A business on Second Avenue Northeast reported a theft.

Oct. 17 — Someone damaged a home in foreclosure located on Third Avenue Northwest.

Oct. 17 — A resident on Fifth Avenue Northeast reported someone had stolen their HP Touchsmart 15, 15.6-inch touch display laptop, valued at $1,099.

Oct. 17 — The Morrison County Motor Vehicle Department reported a bad check for $46.25 had been written to the department.

Oct. 18 — A resident on Fifth Avenue Southeast reported a theft.

Oct. 18 — Someone stole $50 in cash from a purse while the owner was teaching a class at Third Street Southeast.

Oct. 19 — A one-vehicle accident that resulted in property damage occurred on Broadway East.

Oct. 19 — A business on 18th Street Northeast reported a shoplifter.

Oct. 19 — A resident on Ninth Street Northeast reported a scam in which someone claiming to be from the country of Georgia took control of the resident’s computer and froze it. The person told the resident they fixed a virus on the computer and wanted the resident to transfer money.

Oct. 19 — A resident on Seventh Street Northeast reported someone had stolen their shotgun.

Oct. 20 — A resident on Ninth Street Southeast reported a possible case of fraud.

Oct. 20 — An organization on Seventh Street Northeast reported a theft.

Oct. 20 — A resident on Fifth Street Northwest reported a possible case of identity theft.

Oct. 21 — A business on Second Avenue Northeast reported a case of fraud.

Oct. 21 — A business on Eighth Avenue Southeast reported a theft.

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

• Jason George Wimmer, 32, Royalton — In connection with an Oct. 20 incident, Wimmer has been charged with two counts of second degree DWI and one count of open bottle.
• Riley John Hoskins, 23, Milaca — In connection with a Oct. 22 incident, Hoskins has been charged with two counts of third degree DWI.
• Barbara Ann Ringwelski, 63, Little Falls — In connection with an Oct. 22 incident, Ringwelski has been charged with two third degree counts of DWI.
• Brandon Michael Webeck, 19, Little Falls — In connection with an Aug. 9 incident, Webeck has been charged with one count of fifth degree criminal sexual conduct.

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.

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

Gross Misdemeanors
• Caroyln Christine Cantwell, 34, Plymouth; (offense: 8/28/2016) second degree DWI, fined $415, sentenced to 34 days in jail and supervised probation for six years. Dismissed against Cantwell was gross misdemeanor count of second degree DWI.

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 Oct. 12 – 24.

• Jonelle Pamela Barker, Motley.
• Christopher John Bednar, Little Falls.
• Hamia Steven Boos, Bemidji.
• Keith Robert Boser, St. Cloud.
• Gordon Lee Coffelt,  Sr., Little Falls.
• Elizabeth Rose Gabrielson, Little Falls.
• Umpo Woumbli Wi Goodman.
• Christopher Lawrence Maclean, Onamia.
• Kimberly Kay Olson, Sauk Rapids.
• Joseph MacArthur Rivard, St. Micheal.
• Amanda Lynn Scherping, Little Falls.
• Arielle Rose Siordia, Little Falls.
• Brittany Lee Spencer, Harris.