Staff at Becker County Jail saves life of overdose victim

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Staff members at the Becker County Jail were recognized by Chief Deputy Shane Richard and members of the Becker County Board on Nov. 7 for saving the life of an inmate who appeared to be suffering from a drug overdose.

On Sept. 22, Becker County Sgt. Shawn Ohman, Correctional Officer Melissa McDougall and Correctional Officer Jessica Ross sprang into action when they noticed an inmate that was slumped over in a chair and turning gray and blue.

Becker County Chief Deputy Shane Richard told the commissioners how the three officers dealt the medical emergency.

“Correctional Officer McDougall alerted Sgt. Shawn Ohman of an unresponsive patient,” said Richard. “Arriving at the scene in the jail, Sgt. Ohman noted that the patient had been slumped over in a chair with their face turning gray and blue. Correctional Officer McDougal called 911 and retrieved  Narcan as Correctional Officer Jessica Ross arrived on-scene also. Though the patient had a pulse, the patient was not breathing. Sgt. Ohman administered two doses of Narcan and sternum rubs that had no effect. Multiple doses of Narcan were given to the patient before the patient took a deep breath, but was still unconscious. Sgt. Ohman and Correctional Officer Ross moved the patient to the floor and administered breathing using a bag-valve mask. The patient eventually regained consciousness and EMS arrived shortly after that and the patient was transported to a local hospital for further care.”

The three correctional officers were awarded the Overdose Revival Award from Advanced Correctional Healthcare for their quick actions.

Barry Nelson, chair of the Becker County Board, said the awardees showed how great the Becker County Jail staff is at their jobs.

“Congratulations and a huge thank you to the staff out there,” said Nelson. “It’s a difficult job and when you hear success stories, or the attention to detail of their work, I think it’s asset to say what great employees we have out there.”

He said he also thinks the new jail’s layout and monitoring capabilities may have also played a role in saving the inmate.

“With our new jail, it is also probably easy to say, with our new jail and how it is more accessible, how you can maneuver and find those issues so much easier now with all the technology and monitoring we have,” he said. “Thank you and thank those people and congratulate them on saving a life.”

Nelson thanked and congratulated the awardees on behalf of the Board and Becker County.

Detroit Lakes public schools accepting applications for 2023 Ripple Award

Detroit Lakes public schools are seeking nominations for the 2023 Ripple Award, which recognizes distinguished Detroit Lakes alumni for their outstanding achievements following graduation.

In a social media post, the school district stated the award was established to recognize achievements, endeavors, leadership, character of its recipients and to be a positive role model for the student body of Detroit Lakes Public Schools.

In order to be considered for nomination, Detroit Lakes graduates must be 10 years removed from their graduation date.

They must also have contributed to their local community, or profession, in an exemplary manner through leadership, character and service.

The criteria also states the individual must be recognized as a positive role model, have positive character that showcases the Ripple Effect quote by Marion Wright Edelman.

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

If you would like to nominate a Detroit Lakes Laker alum for this year’s Ripple Award, electronic and paper submission forms can be found on our station’s website and Detroit Lakes Public Schools website.

Red Lake man sentenced to 5 years in prison for alcohol-involved crash that killed 1

A man from Red Lake, Minn. has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter in connection with a drunk-driving crash that resulted in the death of his passenger.

Federal court documents say, on Nov. 6, 2021, 27-year-old Gerald Johnson was driving while intoxicated, going more than 90 miles-per-hour in a 20-miles-per-hour zone on a Red Lake Reservation road.

Johnson failed to handle a curve, jumped the curb, and crashed into a tree, severely damaging the vehicle’s right side.

His passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries.

Johnson’s blood alcohol content was point 0.224, well above the legal limit of 0.08.

Investigators recovered several bottles of alcohol from inside and outside of the vehicle.

New details emerge about fatal house party shooting in St. Cloud

New court documents have been released, shedding light on the fatal shooting that happened at a house party in St. Cloud on October 22nd.

According to the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, a stabbing in July had caused tensions between two groups. Antonio Carl Harris, Jr., was trying to negotiate a truce and had been threatened by Deionte Jaewon Parker the week prior.

One of the two others shot on the 22nd at a house party is believed to have been directly involved in the prior stabbing. Both of the other victims survived after being treated at the hospital. The party had sprung up after a night at the bar. The incident happened just before 4:00 a.m.

According to the complaint, witnesses say Parker walked up to Harris on the front lawn of a house in the 700 block of 6th Avenue South and shot him four times, including in the head. Harris died from his injuries.

Parker was previously convicted of 2nd-degree felony assault in Crow Wing County in 2020.

Story by Grant Dossetto / KNSI

High-risk sex offender on the run from Jamestown after ankle monitor battery fails

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Jamestown Police are trying to find a high-risk sex offender whose ankle bracelet battery died.

Anthony Rolland, who is required to register as a sex offender for life, is Native American, 39 years old, 6’0”, 270 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. His last known location was Jamestown.

Rolland was convicted of sex crimes involving a 13-year-old girl in Morton County, and a 10-year-old girl in Ramsey County.

Anyone with information about Rolland’s whereabouts should contact their local law enforcement agency or the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department at (701) 252-9000, the Jamestown Police Department at (701) 252-2414, or the Jamestown Parole and Probation office at (701) 253-3227.

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO

St. Cloud man sentenced to 12 years for fentanyl distribution

A St. Cloud man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after prosecutors say he was a major player in the distribution of fentanyl.

According to the criminal complaint, in August of 2022, investigators found an SUV known to be associated with 35-year-old Thomas Gentry Junior stopped on the road in St. Cloud near another vehicle. That vehicle was followed to Onamia, where police conducted a traffic stop and allegedly found a “large quantity” of counterfeit M Box 30 pills. The person admitted the drugs were laced with fentanyl and that the pills were purchased from Gentry.

Investigators say in November 2022, Gentry went to a storage facility in Maple Grove where he rented a unit under an assumed name. Surveillance footage allegedly showed him going back and forth to and from the unit with backpacks.

Raids were conducted on the storage facility and a home where Gentry was associated. The two raids turned up more than 17,000 counterfeit pills, marijuana, cocaine, and $38,500 in cash. Gentry was present at the raid at the house, where he allegedly gave police a fake name. Investigators confirmed his identity and seized more than $6,500 from his bag.

Prosecutors said Gentry “occupied a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy,” because there was a high degree of “sophistication or planning,” and because it involved “a broad geographic area of disbursement.” Prosecutors allege his distribution network stretched from the Twin Cities through St. Cloud and Onamia, and they were seeking an aggravated sentence.

He was charged with five felony drug counts and one misdemeanor for giving police a false name. Gentry pled guilty to an “aggravated controlled substance crime in the first degree (two or more aggravating factors)” in September. As part of the plea deal, the other five charges against him were dismissed.

Story by Jennifer Lewerenz / KNSI

NDSU offers scholarship program for families earning less than $80k per year

North Dakota State University has announced a new scholarship program to help first and second year students pay for college during the 2024-2025 academic year.

The NDSU Tuition Award Program will cover base tuition and student fees for Pell-eligible North Dakota and Minnesota students who meet certain criteria and whose families earn $80,000 or less annually. 

NDSU senior director of strategic enrollment management Seinquis Leinen said, quote: “Eligibility for this program makes NDSU a great, affordable option for students who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Not only will this benefit students, but it will also benefit the state of North Dakota and the region.”

To be considered for the program, students must be full-time, in good academic standing, and pursuing a bachelor’s degree. More information about the program can be found on our station’s website.

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO

TO READ MORE LAKES AREA NEWS, AND LISTEN LIVE, DOWNLOAD THE LAKES AREA RADIO APP FREE IN THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE OR APPLE APP STORE.