DETROIT LAKES
— Wambli Ray Warren, 20, of rural Ogema has been sentenced in Becker County District Court for felony first-degree cannabis.

A gross misdemeanor second-degree cannabis charge was dropped in a plea agreement.

According to court records, on Feb. 25, law enforcement received a report of a vehicle swerving all over the road, and that a liquor bottle had been thrown from the vehicle.

A deputy located the vehicle on Becker County Road 21 in Detroit Lakes, saw it had expired registration, and pulled it over.

Warren was the front seat passenger.

During the search of the vehicle, a bag containing the driver’s checkbook, 30-round magazines with 10 rounds, and $3,920 was located. A box of Browning 9 mm ammunition was located in the front passenger door near where Warren was sitting.

Some 149 2,000 mg THC vapes totaling 298 grams were located. And 696 grams (1.53 pounds) of a green leafy substance purported to be marijuana was located next to a passenger in the back seat. All three men in the vehicle were charged in the case.

The driver told law enforcement he purchased the marijuana and THC vapes that day at the park in Detroit Lakes, and Warren stated that he arranged to buy the marijuana and THC through Snapchat, according to the criminal complaint.

On Oct. 22, Warren appeared before District Judge Michael D. Fritz, who ordered a stay of adjudication on the first-degree cannabis charge, meaning it will be dismissed if Warren successfully completes probation.

He was ordered to serve 15 days in jail with credit for seven days served, and to pay a $500 fine and $10 in court fees.

He was ordered not to use alcohol or any mood-altering substance and to complete a comprehensive assessment and follow the recommendations. Warren was placed on supervised probation for five years.

Kenneth Allen Schwindt, 58, of Fargo has been sentenced in Becker County District Court for felony drug possession and gross misdemeanor driving while impaired.

A separate gross misdemeanor DWI count was dropped in a plea agreement.

According to court records, on Dec. 28, 2024, Schwindt was stopped by a Becker County sheriff’s deputy on County Road 56 while driving a vehicle towing a small utility trailer that had no working taillights.

During the stop, the deputy observed that Schwindt was fidgety and had constricted pupils. When asked if he had any weapons or illegal substances, Schwindt said he had a knife near the passenger seat and admitted to having methamphetamine in his pocket.

A search turned up a small capsule containing 0.43 grams of meth, with packaging. Schwindt has a prior DWI conviction from 2019, according to court records.

On Oct. 22, he appeared before District Judge Michael D. Fritz, who ordered a stay of adjudication on the drug charge, meaning it will be dismissed if Schwindt successfully completes probation. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and five years of supervised probation, and fined $750.

On the DWI conviction, Schwindt was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 150 days stayed for four years. He must serve 15 days in custody and 15 days on electronic home monitoring, and complete a comprehensive chemical assessment. He was placed on supervised probation for four years. He was ordered to pay an additional $825 in fines and court fees on this charge, for a total of $1,575.

John William Butcher, 42, of Park Rapids has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony fifth-degree drugs.

According to court records, on May 9, Becker County deputy was on patrol when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound on 465th Avenue near Ponsford.

As he drove past the vehicle, the deputy noticed a red light illuminating from the front grill area. He pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver as Butcher, who was wanted on an active warrant out of Hubbard County.

Butcher was arrested, and a micro baggy containing 0.066 grams of meth was in his pocket. His first appearance is Dec. 9 before Becker County District Court Judge Gretchen D. Thilmony.