Nov. 14 — A resident on Fourth Avenue Northeast reported a theft.
Nov. 14 — A resident on Fifth Street Northeast reported a scam.
Nov. 15 — A resident on First Street Southeast reported a scam.
Nov. 15 — A resident on Lindbergh Drive reported someone had stolen both license plates from their vehicle.
Nov. 16 — Someone stole an iPad from Little Falls Schools.
Nov. 16 — A resident on Buck Lane reported their vehicle had been stolen. It was later located in a nearby parking lot.
Nov. 19 — A resident on First Street Southeast reported a theft.

Ryan Richard Deters, 39, Little Falls, was convicted of felony domestic assault and felony violation of a no contact order in Morrison County District Court, Tuesday. A felony for fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle was dismissed.

On Aug. 23, Randall police received a report of a domestic assault.

When police arrived at the scene, a woman, who was in a relationship with Deters, said she wanted him out of their apartment because they had an argument.

Deters left, but returned later and struck the woman with a cordless drill. According to the criminal complaint, the woman was unwilling to give a statement at the time.

Following another report involving the woman, police were able to get her statement. She said Deters had choked her, hit her with the drill, punched her on the side of the head and threatened to kill her. She also said Deters had assaulted her repeatedly throughout the previous two weeks.

A number of witnesses said Deters assaulted and was abusive to the woman. One witness was a friend of the woman’s, who was at the apartment when the alleged assault took place. The witness said the woman tried to defend herself with a mop and Deters fled the apartment when law enforcement arrived.

When a Morrison County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Deters’ vehicle, Deters tried to evade police, first by driving at high speeds on a dirt road, and then by taking off into a swamp on foot.

Deters was found at his mother’s home the next day and placed under arrest.

In a separate case, Deters violated a no contact order.

On Aug. 26, a judge ordered Deters not to contact an adult female victim. According to the criminal complaint, the no contact order specifically prohibited contact by phone.

From September through November, Deters was in the Morrison County Jail and used the jail’s phone to call the victim over 200 times.

All the calls were recorded and conversations between Deters and the victim can be heard numerous times.

Because Deters has two domestic assault convictions in the last 10 years, violating the no contact order was an automatic felony charge.

Deter pleaded guilty to the domestic assault charge as part of a plea agreement.

For both charges he was sentenced to five years supervised probation, to be served consecutively, and fined a combined $320.

Nov. 18 — A resident on Olson Boulevard in Upsala reported a scam in which their home computer was hacked.
Nov. 21 — A resident on Great River Road in Little Falls reported a scam in which their mother had been called by someone claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearinghouse stating she had won a prize and asked for personal information.
Nov. 21 — A resident on 103rd Street in Pierz reported a scam in which someone claiming to be from the cable company called and asked for credit card information.
Nov. 22 — A resident on Twin Lakes Road in Little Falls reported a case of fraud.

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. 8 – 17.

• Anthony Wayne Deel, Minneapolis.
• Debra Ann Isham, Walker.
• Kiah Mae Kestner, Aitkin.
• Patrick John Kinsinger, homeless.
• Dustin Joseph Maurer, Little Falls.
• Micah David Molnau, St. Cloud.
• John Francis Mullen, Jr., Motley.
• Stephanie Emma Maie Nelson, Little Falls.
• Justin Paul Nieken, Hillman.
• Brian James Nightingale, Watkins.
• Jeffrey Gordon Sabourin, Brainerd.
• Ian Michael Strempke, Little Falls.

The reward for information leading to the identification of the person who shot and killed Terry Brisk has been increased from $10,000 to $20,000, put up by two anonymous donors, according to Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen.

Brisk was killed Nov. 7, while hunting on his land on the corner of Jewel Road and Hawthorne Road, in Belle Prairie Township, just east of Little Falls.

The Sheriff’s Office along with the assistance of the BCA continues to actively investigate this case. All information relevant to the case is being followed up on and numerous interviews are being conducted. As of this date, no arrests have been made.  Due to the active investigation no new information is being released.  Larsen states that he believes this is an isolated incident and there is no known risk to the public.

Brisk left behind his wife, Pamela, and four children.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 320-632-9233.

Christopher John Bednar, 27, Little Falls, was charged Nov. 23 with felony fifth degree drug possession in Morrison County District Court. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly giving police a false name.

On Nov. 22, a Morrison County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a vehicle in Little Falls making a moving violation and allegedly taking evasive action to avoid contact with the deputy.

When the deputy went over to the vehicle which had stopped in an alley, the driver allegedly tried to hide by ducking inside the vehicle.

The deputy identified the driver as Bednar, who had multiple warrants out for his arrest. According to the criminal complaint, Bednar identified himself as a family member.

Bednar allegedly continued to identify as a family member until another deputy who went to school with Bednar identified him.

Bednar was then arrested and taken to the Morrison County Jail.

According to the criminal complaint, once at the jail, Bednar said he had half a gram of heroin in his wallet.

When the deputy checked Bednar’s wallet, court documents said he found a substance that tested positive for heroin hidden in a dollar bill.

The alleged heroin and the bill weighed 1.5 grams.

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

Noah Joshua Ness, 28, Little Falls, was convicted Wednesday, on two counts of  fifth degree felony drug possession.

The first count stemmed from a March 30 incident where Ness was charged with felony third degree controlled substance possession after possessing methamphetamine in a school zone. The charge was lowered to felony fifth degree possession as part of a plea agreement.

Ness was stopped after a State Patrol officer observed him driving out of a parking lot without a seatbelt on.

The officer recognized Ness as the driver from prior stops for driving after revocation and drug-related violations.

Ness admitted to the officer that he did not have a license, and that he had recently purchased the vehicle, despite not having proof of ownership.

The officer asked Ness if he had weapons or drugs on him, and Ness admitted to having some marijuana in his pocket.

Ness reached into his pocket and pulled out a small baggie that contained a white crystal substance that appeared to be meth, and another baggie of marijuana.

Ness later admitted to purchasing the meth.

Since the location where Ness was stopped was within a block of a school, he was charged with possession in a school zone.

Ness’ record showed revoked driving privileges from multiple traffic offenses, and that he has not had a valid license in over five years.

The second incident took place June 21.

A member of the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office found a vehicle on Haven Road going 66 mph in a 55 mph zone.

The officer stopped the vehicle and found two men inside, one of whom was Ness.

Neither Ness nor the driver could provide documentation showing who owned the car.

While searching the vehicle, law enforcement found a container with heroin inside. Ness had the container in his lap when law enforcement pulled the two over.

Ness pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement. He was given a stay of imposition in both cases.

A misdemeanor for driving after revocation was dismissed.

For the two charges, Ness was sentenced to 30 days in jail and given credit for 28 days served. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised probation and fined $270.

Felony second degree assault, terroristic threats, and fifth degree controlled substance possession charges have been dismissed against Donald August Hott Jr., 59, Little Falls.

According to the criminal complaint, on Aug. 7, law enforcement received a report of a possible assault with a firearm in Swan River Township.

Officers spoke with a victim who stated that he had been assaulted with a gun by Hott.

Hott’s fiancee had allegedly gotten into an argument with Hott and called for some of her friends to come over, at which point the victim and two others came to meet with Hott’s fiancee.

As they arrived at the residence, Hott allegedly approached them yelling obscenities and telling them not to park in the driveway.

The victim stated he then backed up, parked on the road and exited the vehicle. Hott then allegedly removed a handgun from behind his back and began threatening the victim.

The victim fled to his vehicle, but alleged that Hott followed and struck him in the head with the handgun through the open window of the vehicle while continuing to threaten him. The victim and the two others were eventually able to drive away from the scene to report the assault.

Officers on the scene were unable to locate Hott at his residence, but observed in plain view a glass meth pipe, a marijuana pipe and a small baggie of what appeared to be synthetic marijuana. Officers also observed a black handgun, shaped like a semi-automatic pistol, which turned out to be a pellet gun.

Hott was later found and placed under arrest. He allegedly admitted to an officer that the pipes belonged to him and he smoked marijuana, however, he denied smoking meth.

Hott also allegedly admitted to arguing with the victim in the driveway. He stated that the victim had approached him in an aggressive manner, so he struck the victim in the back of the head with a cellphone and metal lighter. Hott allegedly denied being in possession of any firearm.

Assistant County Attorney Todd Kosovich said evidence in the case was excluded by the court and without it the charges couldn’t be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hott was convicted of a disorderly conduct misdemeanor.

He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, given credit for 19 days served and was given a stay for 71 days. He was fined $135.

Nov. 26 — A resident on 285th Avenue in Pierz reported a scam in which they received a call from someone claiming to be from Dish Network, who said the resident needed to update their receiver. The caller asked for the last four digits of the resident’s Social Security Number and for their credit card number.

Nov. 27 — A resident on Skyview Road in Hillman reported someone had dumped brush on their land on 400th Avenue in Richardship Township and also stole a game camera, valued at $129.

Nov. 27 — A resident on Gable Road in Bowlus reported a scam in which a credit card company that the resident does not have an account with continues to call. Then the resident received a statement from that credit card company with charges of more than $10,000. The resident found their identity had been stolen.

Nov. 27 — A resident on 10th Avenue in Long Prairie reported their debit card had charges on it for transactions they did not make, including one charge from an online store for $214 and one from a convenience store in Little Falls for $20.

Nov. 28 — A business on Main Street in Bowlus reported their pop machine had been broken into and an unknown amount of cash in the machine stolen.

Nov. 28 — A resident on Nature Road in Royalton reported a scam in which their elderly father received a call stating his grandson ran a red light and caused an accident in DeMoines, Iowa and asked for money.

Nov. 28 — A resident on Highway 27 in Little Falls reported  a scam in which someone, claiming to be with Dish Network, called and wanted personal information.

Nov. 28 — A resident on 140th Street in Swanville reported a theft. Someone broke into their storage unit and stole miscellaneous tools, DirecTV equipment, a tool chest with tools in it, an air compressor and a surround sound system. Value of items was estimated at $2,500.

Nov. 29 — A resident on 110th Avenue in Little Falls reported a scam in which someone called asking for access to the resident’s computer to fix it.

Nov. 29 — A resident on Highway 238 in Little Falls reported a scam in which they received a call from someone claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House who said the resident won $3.7 million and a Mercedes car. The caller wanted the resident to order a Moneygram, for $370 and send it to an unknown location.

Nov. 29 — A resident on Highway 10 in Cushing reported a scam in which a caller claiming to be from a disability funding company asked for their Social Security Number, mother’s maiden name and more.

Nov. 29 — A resident on Highway 27 in Little Falls reported a scam from a caller claiming to be from Dish Network.

Nov. 29 — A resident on 243rd Street in Pierz reported a case of fraud in which someone else used their debit card to purchase $75.73 in clothing.

Nov. 30 — A resident on 120th Avenue in Bowlus reported a scam in which a man called saying the resident had won the Mega Millions lottery. The caller said the resident needed to send $150 for a processing fee in order to receive the prize.

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. 15 – 29.

• Alberta June Benaise, Minneapolis.
• Scott Allen Boller, Jr., Pillager.
• Nathanial Allen Compton, Milaca.
• Anthony Wayne Deel, Minneapolis.
• Joseph John Englehart, Royalton.
• Matthew Ryan Enns, Brainerd.
• Debra Ann Isham, Walker.
• Kiah Mae Kestner, Aitkin.
• Virginia Louise Klemish, Little Falls.
• Linaya Elaine Mathis, St. Paul.
• Micah David Molnau, St. Cloud.
• Brian James Nightingale, Watkins.
• Jeffrey Gordon Sabourin, Brainerd.
• Lindsey Marie Saldana, Little Falls.
• Nikki Jean Schneider, Little Falls.
• Ian Michael Strempke, Little Falls.
• Ethan Patrick Winter, Detroit Lakes.

Nov. 22 — A business on 18th Street Northeast reported a theft.
Nov. 23 — A business on Second Avenue Northeast reported a shoplifter.
Nov. 24 — A resident on Seventh Street Southeast reported the theft of their license plate.
Nov. 24 — A business on 18th Street Northeast reported a shoplifter.
Nov. 25 — A business on 18th Street Northeast reported two shoplifters.
Nov. 26 — A business on Sixth Street Northeast reported a theft.
Nov. 27 — A resident on Buck Lane reported someone had poured liquid into the gas tank of their three-wheeler, ruining the engine.

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

Misdemeanors

• Theodore Lee Erickson, 42, Little Falls; (offense: 8/19/2016) traffic regulation – driver must carry proof of insurance when operating vehicle, fined $135, sentenced 45 days in jail and probation to the court for one year, fines concurrent with a gross misdemeanor count of driving after cancellation, (7/15/2016). Dismissed against Erickson was one gross misdemeanor count of driving after cancellation.
• Jason Mounette Harris, 28, Little Falls; (offense: 8/26/2015) fleeing a peace officer by a means other than a M/V, fined $554. 35, sentenced to 61 days in jail.
• Carolyn Rudy Helmer, 46, Casper, WY; (offense: 11/12/2016) fourth degree DWI, fined $560, sentenced to three days in jail and supervised probation for two years. Dismissed against Helmer was one gross misdemeanor count of third degree DWI.

The death of Terry Brisk is now being considered a homicide investigation, said Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen.

Brisk, 41, was killed Nov. 7, while hunting on his land on the corner of Jewel Road and Hawthorne Road, in Belle Prairie Township, just east of Little Falls.

Investigators are also now seeking the public’s help in locating a gun believed to have been stolen during the incident.

Preliminary autopsy results from Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Brisk  died from blood loss resulting from a gunshot wound.  The Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, has followed up on several leads and conducted multiple interviews.  The determination of homicide as a manner of death is based on information obtained thus far in the investigation.

In addition, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Winchester Model AE 30-30 lever action rifle belonging to Brisk.  The rifle is described as an older model, with a wooden stock and forearm, with no sling attached. Brisk was known to carry the rifle in the woods while hunting and at this point it has not been located.

Sheriff Larsen said there is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the identification of the person who shot and killed Brisk.

Brisk left behind his wife, Pamela, and four children.

Anyone with any information regarding this case, is asked to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 320-632-9233.

Public asked for help in identifying suspects, finding Brisk’s stolen gun

The death of Terry Brisk was deemed a homicide one month to the day after he was found in woods near his home, Nov. 7. There are no suspects in custody, and the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help.
So is Brisk’s wife, Pamela, and their four children.
She spoke in public for the first time during a press conference, Wednesday, calling the last month a “nightmare” and asking for help to bring that nightmare to an end.
“It has been extremely difficult trying to put the pieces together and hold on,” she said.
Pamela described her husband as a very kind person who was liked by everyone he met and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone.
“He an amazing husband and father who is missed horribly,” she said. “To go home, to go to bed and then to wake up again without him has been extremely hard for both myself and my kids,” she said.
“We don’t understand why this happened and we are begging anyone with information to call and come forward so our family can have closure and start the healing process,” Pamela said.
There is a $20,000 reward being offered for information leading to the person who shot and killed Brisk, 41, in a wooded area near the corner of Hawthorne and Jewel Road, in Belle Prairie Township just east of Little Falls, between 2:26 p.m. and 4:20 p.m.
Anyone who has information is asked to call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233. Larsen said people may remain anonymous when they call in if they choose.

Yulanda Raine Smith, 25, whereabouts unknown, was charged Tuesday with a felony for allegedly using someone else’s debit card fraudulently.

On Sept. 29, a victim went to the Brainerd Police Department to report that Smith had allegedly been making unauthorized transactions on her debit card between Aug. 23 and Sept. 19.

According to the criminal complaint, Smith and her boyfriend, who hasn’t been charged, bought a reloadable gift card from a Little Falls business.

Court documents said the victim’s card was used to load $425 onto the gift card.

Smith also allegedly used the debit card to pay for phone calls to her boyfriend, who was in custody at the Redwood County Jail from Aug. 21 through Sept. 3.

On Sept. 6, a representative from the company spoke to a woman identifying herself as Smith, who allegedly said she lived with the victim and that the victim said she was OK with the transaction.

The debit card was allegedly also used by Smith at a Little Falls restaurant, Sept. 10 and 16.

According to the criminal complaint, the officer investigating the case calculated the dollar amount of the alleged fraud at  $657.76.

As of publication, law enforcement is unaware of Smith’s whereabouts.

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

Tony Lamaine Harrison,  44, Minneapolis, was convicted of felony first degree controlled substance possession in Morrison County District Court, Monday.

On Feb. 3, law enforcement on routine patrol on Highway 10 in Motley observed a vehicle passing by with what appeared to be excessively dark windows.

The suspect vehicle was also observed failing to use turn signals and pulling abruptly into a nearby gas station.

An officer approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Harrison.

Harrison admitted immediately that he did not have a valid driver’s license, and a check of his record showed his driving privileges had been revoked.

The officer noted that there was a passenger and a child in the vehicle.

Harrison and the passenger gave conflicting accounts of where they had been that day.

Harrison denied that there was  anyone else in the vehicle.

The officer later noticed another passenger in the back of the vehicle, identified as having a warrant out for her arrest.

A search was conducted of Harrison’s vehicle, during which the officer noticed a suspicious-looking pack of cigarettes. Inside the cigarette package, heroin was found.

Harrison said he did not know what it was and did not answer when asked how it got there or who it belonged to.

The substance later field tested positive for heroin and was found to weigh 36 grams.

Harrison was sentenced to 150 months in prison and fined $135.

Roger Richard Hodgman, 26, whereabouts unknown, is facing a felony charge for violating a requirement to register as a predatory offender.

Hodgman is required to register as a predatory offender after a felony second degree criminal sexual conduct conviction from 2006. He is required to inform law enforcement at least five days prior to moving.

According to the criminal complaint, Hodgman’s last known address was an apartment in Little Falls. The State Bureau of Criminal Affairs sent a registration packet to the address, but it was allegedly returned as not being a valid address for him.

On Oct. 20, a Little Falls Police officer spoke to the current resident of the apartment. The resident allegedly said Hodgman no longer lives there and that he doesn’t know where Hodgman is.

According to the criminal complaint, the resident said he has the postal worker take back any mail he gets for Hodgman.

As of publication, Hodgman’s current whereabouts are unknown.

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

Abigail Claire Snow, 21, Little Falls, was charged Tuesday with felony check forgery.

On Oct. 21, the Little Falls Police Department received a report of check forgery at a local business.

According to the criminal complaint, Snow cashed two checks on May 10 and 16 for $749.60 and $962.51, respectively.

The checks were written on accounts allegedly belonging to two different businesses and were later discovered to be forgeries.

In a statement to the police, Snow allegedly said a male acquaintance, who hasn’t been charged, asked her to cash the checks in her name.

Court documents state Snow said when she gave the acquaintance the cash, she was given a percentage.

She allegedly said she did it because she badly needed the money at the time.

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

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. 23 – Dec. 5.

• Ryan Richard Baker, Milaca.
• Alberta June Benaise, Minneapolis.
• Scott Allen Boller, Jr., Pillager.
• Ashley Ann Dahl, Little Falls.
• Joseph John Englehart, Royalton.
• Matthew Ryan Enns, Brainerd.
• Brian John Forcier, Little Falls.
• Roger Richard Hodgman, whereabouts unknown.
• Paul Isaac Johnson, Buffalo.
• Virginia Louise Klemish, Little Falls.
• Linaya Elaine Mathis, St. Paul.
• Stephanie Emma Marie Nelson, Little Falls.
• Paul Michael Nieman, Little Falls.
• Gregory Rick Quamme, Rosemount.
• Lindsey Marie Saldana, Little Falls.
• Nikki Jean Schneider, Little Falls.
• Gabriel Alexander Silas, St. Cloud.
• Yulanda Raine Smith, address unknown.
• Jonathan James Weyaus, Cass Lake.
• Ethan Patrick Winter, Detroit Lakes.

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

Gross Misdemeanors

• Michael Eugene Cameron, 45, Brainerd; DWI, fined $385, sentenced to 45 days in jail and supervised probation for six years. Dismissed against Cameron was two gross misdemeanors counts one of driving after cancellation and one count of DWI.

Misdemeanors

• Cody Lee Schroeder, Little Falls; disorderly conduct – brawling or fighting, fined $135.
• Chad Michael Stolp, 39, Little Falls; theft – take/use/transfer movable property without consent, fined $185, probation to the court for one year.