The Becker County courts have seen a busy week with several notable cases involving DUI, burglary, and auto theft offenses. Here’s a rundown of recent rulings:
In a DUI case, 43-year-old Darren Robert Halvorson of Detroit Lakes faces a felony first-degree DWI charge. Authorities report that Halvorson was pulled over by a Detroit Lakes officer on Oct. 5 after he was observed driving with a canceled license on Willow Street. When confronted, Halvorson allegedly fled on foot but was soon apprehended. According to court records, he refused field sobriety tests. He posted a $30,000 bond on Oct. 8 and was released without conditions, pending a court appearance set for Nov. 4.
In a separate case, 20-year-old Daniel James Steward of Detroit Lakes was sentenced for a 2022 burglary after evidence linked him to a Detroit Lakes home break-in. Steward was identified when his fingerprints matched those found on a window screen at the scene. In a plea agreement, Steward pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary while higher-level charges were dropped. Judge Michael D. Fritz issued a stay of imposition, meaning Steward’s felony charge could be reduced to a misdemeanor upon successful probation completion. His sentence includes 14 days in jail (already served), $550 in fines and fees, and mandatory psychological counseling and substance abuse treatment as part of his probation.
Another case saw 22-year-old Andrew James Klemetsrud of Audubon sentenced for a July DUI incident. After taking a woman’s car without permission from a Frazee motel, Klemetsrud led police on a brief chase before surrendering. He later tested at a .20 BAC, more than twice the legal limit. Judge Gretchen Thilmony sentenced Klemetsrud to 180 days in jail, with 152 days stayed, a fine of $1,190, and four years of unsupervised probation. Additional conditions include attending a MADD Impact Panel and completing an alcohol assessment.