Benning Printing & Publishing

A Stearns County judge has dismissed one felony stalking charge against Father Aaron John Kuhn, while allowing several felony criminal sexual conduct charges to continue. The stalking charge was dismissed because the court found the three-year statute of limitations had expired. The dismissal was not opposed by prosecutors Kuhn was a pastor at Mary, Mother of the Church Area Catholic Community, a collection of parishes in central Minnesota. They include St. Joseph in Bertha

The Stearns County Attorney’s Office is asking a judge to allow medical records belonging to Joseph Paul Herzing to be used in his criminal case. Herzing served at Christ the King in Browerville, St. Joseph in Clarissa, St. Joseph in Grey Eagle, St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie, and St. John the Baptist in Swanville. In a court filing dated August 10, prosecutors argued Herzing gave written permission for his medical information to be shared with the Diocese. Becaus

On Tuesday, August 25, at approximately 11:10 a.m., the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a crash on Highway 71 and County Road 89. A 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was northbound on Highway 71 when it collided with another vehicle that entered the highway from County Road 89. After the collision, the Chevrolet rolled into the west ditch and the other vehicle immediately left the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet, Kevin Lorentz, 57, from Hastings, was wearing a seat belt and was

A Browerville woman is facing a first-degree controlled substance charge after authorities allege she sold nearly 28 grams of methamphetamine during a controlled purchase in Benton County. Chantal Catherine Bue, 39, of Browerville, was charged August 20 in Benton County District Court with one count of first-degree controlled substance crime — sale. According to the criminal complaint, the charge stems from a controlled purchase conducted in January 2025 by the Central Minn

A Long Prairie man is facing three charges after authorities allege he followed a woman’s vehicle to a Long Prairie gas station, confronted her with a tire iron and damaged her vehicle. Alfredo Gutierrez Rodriguez, 24, of Long Prairie, was charged August 17 in Todd County District Court with third-degree damage to property, fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct. According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred August 15 at approximately 10:59 p.m. A woman c

A Sauk Centre man is facing a felony drug charge after police allegedly found more than 17 grams of methamphetamine in a vehicle he was driving. Kent Leon Moscho, 34, of Sauk Centre, was charged August 24 in Todd County District Court with third-degree drug possession and driving after revocation. According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened August 22 at about 12:11 p.m. in Long Prairie. A Long Prairie Police Officer was watching traffic when he saw a truck d

A 74-year-old Staples man is facing four felony charges after authorities allege he stole a trailer containing approximately $30,000 worth of merchandise belonging to Honor Flight North Dakota from the American Legion in Moorhead. According to a criminal complaint filed August 10 in Clay County District Court, Robert Joseph Andert, of Staples, is charged with three counts of felony theft and one count of first-degree damage to property. The charges stem from an August 3 inci

Brayan Omar Garcia Gonzalez, 25, of Long Prairie, is facing serious legal charges for drug possession. He allegedly had over 1100 pills of fentanyl, which is a highly dangerous drug, after already having a drug conviction in the past. This charge could result in a minimum of four years up to a maximum of 40 years in prison and possibly a fine of $1 million. In addition, he is also charged with possessing more than 10 grams of cocaine, which can lead to a penalty of up to 20

According to court documents, Gordon Lee Coffelt Jr., 30, of Grey Eagle, is facing serious charges, including two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The first charge alleges that Coffelt engaged in sexual penetration with a victim aged between 14 and 15 while being more than 24 months older. The second count claims he used coercion to engage in sexual penetration with a victim under 18. Each of these felony charges carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in pris

Sara Ann Tangeman, 41, of Staples, is charged with two counts of using a child under the age of 14 in child sexual abuse material, each carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $40,000 fine. She is also charged with one count of using a minor in child sexual abuse material, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine; one count of disseminating child sexual abuse material, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine