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

Gross Misdemeanors

• Anthony Ray Strempke, 45, Little Falls (offense: 9/21/2017) dismissed against Strempke was a gross misdemeanor count of driving after cancellation.
• Steve Michael Meyer, 31, Pierz (offense: 7/12/17) DWI, fined $785, sentenced to 90 days in jail and supervised probation for six years. Dismissed against Meyer was one gross misdemeanor count of DWI.

Misdemeanors

• Darron Pedro Nicholas Colombe, 27, Little Falls (offense 4/26/17) harassment – obscene or harassing telephone calls, fined $185.
• Sam Crowder, 37, Royalton (offense: 11/5/2016) DWI, fined $385, sentenced to three days in jail and supervised probation for two years. Dismissed against Crowder was a gross misdemeanor count of DWI.
• Ralph Sylvan Theisen, 59, Sauk Rapids (offense: 8/18/2017) theft – take/use/transfer movable property – no consent, fined $169.54 and supervised probation for one year.

•             George Daniel Weiblen, Falcon Heights (offense: 9/20/2017) DWI, fined $560, sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for two years.

Jennie Lee Czech, 37, Browerville, has been charged in Morrison County District Court with a felony for allegedly receiving stolen property.

She was also charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly driving on a suspended license.

The charge stems from a Sept. 19 incident, when a Morrison County resident said his truck had been stolen after he had left his home that morning.

When he returned around noon, the victim found a note in his yard allegedly signed “Brian and Jen,” saying they took the truck to a nearby farm and would be back soon.

Law enforcement learned the victim had not given permission for anyone to use the vehicle.

Law enforcement allegedly located the vehicle later that day, being driven by a man who hasn’t been charged, while Czech was a passenger.

After the vehicle was stopped, the man allegedly fled on foot, while Czech slid into the driver’s seat and allegedly drove off.

Police immediately stopped the vehicle and learned Czech’s license was suspended.

The truck was valued at $2,500, making the charge a felony.

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

Josue Ramon Rodriguez, 20, St. Cloud, is facing a felony fifth degree drug possession charge in Morrison County District Court.

The charge stems from a Sept. 24 incident, when a Morrison County Sheriff’s deputy went to speak with the occupants of a vehicle that was parked partially in a lane of traffic on Dove Road near Flensburg.

There were four people in the vehicle, including Rodriguez.

After obtaining permission from the driver to search the vehicle, the deputy allegedly found 45.4 grams of marijuana.

After all of the occupants of the vehicle initially denied the marijuana being theirs, Rodriguez allegedly said it belonged to him.

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

Sept. 21 — A resident on 233rd Street in Little Falls reported a scam.

Sept. 21 — A resident on 210th Street in Little Falls reported someone had driven in their ditch, damaging it.

Sept. 21 — A resident reported a theft of items from their vehicle while it was parked at a location on Great River Road in Bowlus. Stolen were two Dell laptop computers, one Tobshiba laptop computer, one Apple iPad, three Samsung Galaxy X cellphones, tool boxes with tools and hand power tools.

Sept. 22 — A resident on Marble Pass in Little Falls reported the theft of a motor vehicle and damage done to the vehicle and items inside was estimated at $2,500.

Sept. 22 — A resident on Marble Pass in Cushing reported someone had tampered with their ATV, trying to dismantle it.

Sept. 23 — A resident on 20th Avenue in Randall reported the theft of a heavy duty power systems generator.

Sept. 23 — A business on Highway 27 in Hillman reported a shoplifter.

Sept. 25 — A resident on 83rd Street in Royalton reported someone had cut the lock on their storage shed.

Sept. 26 — A resident on Highway 27 in Little Falls reported a scam in which they received an email that said it was from the Internal Revenue Service stating the resident owed money and if the resident did not pay, the FBI would be contacted.

Sept. 26 — A resident on Haven Drive in Little Falls reported the theft of several items from their home.

Gerrey Wayne Stevenson, 42, Little Falls, has been charged with a felony in Morrison County District Court for allegedly receiving stolen property.

The charge stems from the Sept. 11 theft of a trailer in Benton County.

A Morrison County Sheriff’s deputy was asked to check for the trailer at a residence on Gordon Circle in Little Falls, Sept. 15.

The trailer’s owner allegedly said Stevenson had taken the trailer there.

When the deputy arrived at the residence, he allegedly saw a trailer in the yard, but Stevenson allegedly said it had been in his family for years.

The trailer’s VIN allegedly matched that of the stolen one and Stevenson was arrested.

Stevenson allegedly said he had lied to the officer because he did not want to get others in trouble.

The value of the trailer was over $1,000 making the charge a felony.

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

Sept. 28 — A resident on 330th Street in Motley reported a theft.
Sept. 28 — A resident on 253rd Street in Onamia reported a burglary.
Sept. 29 — A resident on 153rd Street in Little Falls reported a case of property damage in Pike Creek Township.
Sept. 29 — A business on 113th Street, Little Falls reported five vehicles on the lot had been damaged, four with holes drilled into the gas tank, one with a broken driver’s side window.
Sept. 30 — A number of mailboxes along 213th Street in Little Falls and Highway 238 in Swanville were damaged.
Oct. 1 — A business on 320th Street in Cushing reported a scam phone call in which someone called asking for the business to pay an electric bill or the power would be turned off.
Oct. 2 — A county employee reported the theft of a stop sign and blinking light from the intersection of 93rd Street and 260th Avenue in Pierz.
Oct. 2 — A county employee reported the theft of a city sign and recycle sign from a location on 285th Avenue in Pierz.
Oct. 2 — A mail box on 180th Street in Little Falls was damaged.
Oct. 2 — A resident on Concord Road in Cushing reported someone had made a fraudulent purchase on their checking account, in the amount of $895.
Oct. 2 — A resident reported their vehicle had been broken into at a location on Highway 27 West in Little Falls. Stolen was a Stihl chain saw.
Oct. 2 — A resident on 150th Avenue and 450th Street in Bowlus reported damage to the roadway.
Oct. 3 — A business on 113th Street in Little Falls reported a burglary and that multiple camper trailers had been broken into overnight.
Oct. 3 — A resident on First Street in Randall reported a theft.
Oct. 3 — A resident on Concreek Road in Little Falls reported the theft of scrap metal.
Oct. 3 — A business on Main Street in Bowlus reported the theft of gasoline.
Oct. 3 — A resident on First Avenue Southwest, Little Falls, reported a truck driving through a field and damaging it.
Oct. 4 — A resident on 113th Street in Pierz reported two Stihl chain saws and a yellow folding step ladder had been stolen from their residence.
Oct. 4 — A resident on 420th Avenue in Hillman reported two locks had been cut from their pasture access gates. The two locks were valued at $18.

Ashley Ann Dahl, 28, Little Falls, was convicted Sept. 27, in Morrison County District Court of felony fifth degree drug possession.

A felony escape from custody charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement, court documents said.

The drug possession charge stems from a Feb. 9 incident, when an officer from the Little Falls Police Department went to a residence in Little Falls to arrest Dahl for an outstanding warrant.

The officer was invited into the residence and found Dahl on the couch holding a syringe and needle.

When she was arrested, the officer found .54 grams of heroin on Dahl.

The escape from custody charge stemmed from an allegation that Dahl failed to return to jail in a timely manner after being discharged unsuccessfully from treatment.

Dahl was sentenced to 31 days in jail and was given credit for serving 31 days.

She was also sentenced to five years of supervised probation and was fined $135.

Lola Marie Austin, 45, Pierz, was convicted Sept. 29, in Morrison County District Court of felony theft.

The charge stems from a Dec. 28, 2016 incident, when law enforcement responded to  a report of a theft of prescription drugs from a Morrison County resident.

For several years, Austin picked up the victim’s prescriptions of hydrocodone, a schedule II controlled substance, and other drugs, before setting up his medications for the week.

An officer went to the victim’s home and looked through his prescriptions, and noticed the bottle of hydrocodone was missing.

The victim’s doctor said his prescription had recently been filled for December.

On Dec. 29, 2016, investigators spoke with Austin.

She said she had taken 20-30 of the pills each month for three months.

Austin said she gave the victim over the counter Tylenol pills as a substitute.

Austin was sentenced to five days in jail and 80 hours of community service.

She was also sentenced to five years of supervised probation and was fined $135.

Kurt James Olson, 31, Brighton, Colorado, is facing a felony charge in Morrison County District Court for allegedly violating a protection order, as well as extradition to Colorado to answer a felony stalking charge.

The protection order charge stems from an April 14 court order, when a judge in Colorado ordered Olson to stay away from a victim.

A Stearns County Sheriff’s deputy discovered Olson was at a residence south of Elmdale, Sept. 23, and was aware there were warrants out for his arrest from Morrison County, Stearns County and Colorado.

After arresting Olson, the deputy learned the victim from the Colorado case was allegedly at the residence, meaning Olson would be in violation of the restraining order.

Due to two previous domestic assault convictions and violating a domestic abuse no contact order in Morrison County from 2008, the current charge is a felony.

Olson said he was unaware of the felony charge in Colorado and planned to return to the state to deal with it.

If convicted of the protection order violation charge, Olson could face 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

• Donna Marie Alger, 35, Little Falls (offense: 7/7/2017) dismissed against Alger was a gross misdemeanor count of fifth degree controlled substance crime – possession.
• Matthew Allen Kostek, 37, Little Falls (offense: 4/26/2017) violation of domestic abuse no contact order, fined $135, sentenced to  120 days in jail and supervises probation for two years.
• Nathan Daniel Anderson, 28, Ramsey (offense: 7/15/2016) DWI, fined $985, sentenced to 30 days in jail and supervised probation for six years. Dismissed against Anderson was a gross misdemeanor count of DWI.
• Tyler Allen Edelman, 23, Fort Ripley (offense: 12/3/2016) damage to property, fined $85, sentenced to two days in jail and probation to the court for two years.
• Jeffrey Reinhold Winscher, 46, Pierz (offense: 10/17/2016) traffic collision – fail to stop, fined $385, sentenced to 45 days in jail and supervised probation for two years.

Misdemeanors

• Kari Lynn Jerve, 47, Little Falls (offense 11/20/16) disorderly conduct, fined $185,  sentenced to two days in jail and supervised probation for one year; (offense: 3/4/2017) disorderly conduct, fined $185 sentenced to one day in jail and supervised probation for one year.
• Patrick Henry Englehart, 67, Browerville (offense: 3/31/2017) DWI, fined $125.

Jerome David Haggerty, 39, Little Falls, was given a stay of adjudication on a felony second degree assault charge, Sept. 27, in Morrison County District Court.

A misdemeanor fifth degree assault charge was dismissed.

The charges stem from a July 9 incident, when Haggerty and another man got into an argument after Haggerty flicked a cigarette butt at the victim’s face.

After arguing for a while, the victim attempted to leave, but Haggerty came up to him, pulled out a knife and held it in a stabbing fashion.

The victim was able to get away from Haggerty and got help from the bar

Another individual went outside with the victim to intervene, and the two found the knife on the ground, and stood in front of it to keep it away from Haggerty.

Haggerty pleaded guilty to the second degree assault charge as part of a plea agreement.

Haggerty was sentenced to 30 days in jail to be served as work release and in the sentence to serve program. He was given credit for 3 days served.

Haggerty was also sentenced to seven years of supervised probation and was fined $50

Elizabeth Rose Gabrielson, 25, Little Falls, is facing a felony credit card fraud charge in Morrison County District Court.

The charge stems from a Sept. 15 incident, when a victim reported his billfold and credit cards had been stolen from his car, which had been parked at the Blanchard Dam.

Later that evening, the victim allegedly told law enforcement his cards had been used at businesses in Bowlus and Little Falls.

At the Little Falls business, surveillance video allegedly showed Gabrielson using one of the stolen credit cards to attempt to make a purchase of $454.94, but the card was declined.

The alleged attempt by Gabrielson was made after co-defendant Hailey Allord allegedly attempted to use two other cards stolen from the victim to make the transaction, both of which were declined.

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

Christopher Charles Koshenina, 45, Breezy Point, is facing a felony charge in Morrison County District Court for allegedly possessing a stolen vehicle.

The charge stems from the May 1 theft of a car from a parking lot in Rice.

On Aug. 17, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department went to a property on 113th Street responding to a call about a vehicle on the property.

The property owner allegedly said Koshenina had asked if he could store two cars on his property and the property owner allowed it.

The VIN number of one of the vehicles allegedly matched that of the stolen car from Rice.

In a follow-up statement, Aug. 22, the property owner allegedly said Koshenina had brought the cars to his property one month prior and had been removing parts from the vehicle.

If convicted, Koshenina could face up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Brian John Prozinski, 47, Cushing, is facing a felony charge for allegedly possessing a stolen truck. He is also charged with a gross misdemeanor for driving on a cancelled license and a misdemeanor for fleeing from police.

The charges stem from a Sept. 19 incident when a man reported his truck had been stolen and allegedly said Prozinski had asked to borrow the truck, but the victim said no.

A note in the victim’s yard allegedly said “Brian and Jen” had taken the truck and would return with it.

Law enforcement later found Prozinski and co-defendant Jennie Lee Czech allegedly driving the stolen vehicle.

Prozinski allegedly got out of the truck, walked toward the State Patrol trooper who stopped him, before turning around and running into a swamp.

Prozinski allegedly led the trooper on a swim through the swamp, ignoring multiple commands to stop, before making it to near the opposite shore, where a Morrison County Sheriff’s deputy came in after him and arrested him.

According to records, Prozinski’s driving privileges are revoked.

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

In a separate case, Prozinski was charged with felonies for allegedly possessing a stolen vehicle and fleeing from police in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with a gross misdemeanor for driving on a cancelled license and a misdemeanor for allegedly fleeing police on foot.

The charges stem from the theft of a vehicle from a Randall business, May 18.

On Sept. 9, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report that Prozinski, who had an active warrant out for his arrest, was driving toward Little Falls.

While other law enforcement searched for Prozinski, one Morrison County Sheriff’s deputy waited at Prozinski’s home.

Eventually, a car pulled into the driveway and turned off its lights, while the deputy turned his emergency lights on.

Prozinski allegedly drove into a wooded area and crashed into a tree, before getting out and fleeing on foot.

Law enforcement was unable to locate Prozinski at the time, but allegedly identified the vehicle Prozinski had driven as the one stolen at the Randall business in May.

If convicted of all the felonies, Prozinski could face up to 13 years and one day in prison and/or $25,000 in fines.

Brock Alexander Fanjoy, 24, Little Falls, was convicted Sept. 27, in Morrison County District Court of a felony for violating a protection order.

The charge stems from an Aug. 11 incident, when Fanjoy was pulled over by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper for having objects suspended from his rearview mirror.

The trooper identified a passenger in the vehicle as someone who Fanjoy is prohibited from contacting due to a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO).

Fanjoy was then place under arrest.

Due to two previous DANCO violation convictions from Jan. 4 and May 5, the charge was elevated to a felony.

Fanjoy was sentenced to 45 days in jail to be served in the sentence to serve program and was given credit for three days served.

He was also sentenced to five years of supervised probation and was fined $135.

Lana Jean Nornberg, 70, Little Falls, has been charged with felony charges of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation resulting in significant bodily harm.

The charges stem from a May 15 incident, when Nornberg allegedly drove her vehicle south in a northbound lane of Highway 10 near Little Falls for more than 1 1/2 miles.

During the incident, Nornberg allegedly side-swiped a semi-tractor trailer before crashing into another vehicle.

The crash injured the driver and killed the passenger.

Nornberg allegedly smelled of alcohol after the crash and a blood draw showed her blood alcohol content was .02, the criminal complaint said.

Officials allege there were no factors mechanically or in terms of road or weather contributing to the crash, the criminal complaint said.

If convicted of both felonies, Nornberg could face up to 13 years in prison and/or $30,000 in fines.

Nornberg’s first court appearance is set for Monday, Oct. 23, at 8:30 a.m.

Commander Steve Soyka advises that on Oct. 12, 2017, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force in cooperation with the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at the address of 15751 Grouse Road in Green Prairie Township located north of Little Falls. The search warrant is part of an investigation into the sales of methamphetamine and prescription pills in the Morrison County area.

Upon executing the search warrant several people were present including the homeowner, William Schurr, 60, Green Prairie Township. During the search of the residence a quantity of methamphetamine was allegedly located. Schurr was arrested and transported to the Morrison County jail on sales and possession of controlled substance charges. No other individuals at the home have been charged.

The task force was assisted by the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office patrol division. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of officers from the cities of St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, and Little Falls Police Departments along with deputies from Morrison, Benton, Todd, Stearns and Sherburne County Sheriff Offices.

A man was arrested in Morrison County Monday, Oct. 16 after the suspect robbed a man a knife point earlier that morning at a park and ride lot in Princeton.

Joshua Stuart Vossen, 27, was arrested following a high-speed chase that went through multiple counties – including Morrison. Vossen was apprehended in Morrison County and booked into the Sherburne County Jail where he is facing charges of robbery and assault.

The robbery happened just after 2 a.m. in the Princeton Park and Ride lot at 32077-125th St. NW in Baldwin Township, according to Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott. The park and ride lot is located west of Highway 169 and immediately across Rum River Drive from the Circle 9 Marathon gas station and Burger King in Princeton.

An 18-year-old Princeton man told deputies that a man approached him in the lot, brandished a knife and robbed him of his cell phone, wallet and other personal property.

The suspect left in a pickup truck that the victim identified as a brown Ford F-150.

The victim went to a friend’s house to report the robbery.

A vehicle matching that description was spotted shortly after in Mille Lacs County. The vehicle was located, resulting in the pursuit that ended with the arrest of Vossen in Morrison County.

PRESS RELEASE

Morrison County Attorney’s Office

10/18/17

On Oct. 12, a Morrison County District Court Jury in Little Falls took less than an hour to convict Ronald Lee Schlangen of Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree and Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree.   A routine traffic stop and warrant check lead to the discovery of 130.4 grams (4.5 ounces) of methamphetamine in Schlangen’s vehicle.

The charges stem from February 23, when a Minnesota State Trooper observed a vehicle with a cracked windshield travelling on U.S. Highway 10 in Morrison County. The trooper ran the license plates numbers which revealed that Ronald Schlangen, 38, St. Cloud, was the registered owner and that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.  Schlagen was a passenger in his vehicle.  The female driver appeared to be under the influence, was arrested and a pipe with methamphetamine residue was found in her possession.

The trooper next conducted a search of the vehicle and located a pink flowered box that was next to where Schlangen had been seated in the vehicle. The trooper opened the box and observed a large clear baggie with crystalline shards suspected to be methamphetamine. A subsequent search warrant located a green bag also contained suspected meth.  The suspected meth was tested and weighed by the BCA Laboratory. The meth found in the flowered box weighed 83.324 grams. The methamphetamine found in the green bag weighed 47.077 grams.  There was also $4,900 in $100 bills next to the drugs in the flowered box.  Schlangen’s wallet was found to contain an additional $2,515

Schlangen was found guilty of possessing the methamphetamine found in his vehicle following a three-day jury trial.  Assistant County Attorney Morrison Mike Chisum prosecuted the case.  Chisum said, “The jury was able to convict Schlangen quickly because of the overwhelming evidence of his guilt. This case came together because of the excellent work of the trooper and his decision to continue to investigate the case by obtaining a search warrant.  Additionally, employees of the Minnesota State patrol, the BCA, the Morrison County Attorney’s Office and the Morrison County Jail played a crucial role in gaining this important conviction.”

Chisum said, “Highway 10 is a popular route for transporting illegal narcotics. I hope this conviction sends a message that law enforcement is working hard to stop the use and flow of narcotics through our county, and that the Morrison County Attorney’s Office is diligently prosecuting narcotic users and traffickers.”

Schlangen is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 6, before Judge Daniel A. Benson.  Schlangen faces up to 150 months in prison according to the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.  County Attorney Brian Middendorf said, “We need to stop this dangerous, criminal behavior.  That’s why at sentencing, my office will be asking the Judge to sentence Schlangen to maximum sentence under the State sentencing guidelines.”