Eddy County Sheriff's Update for June

Two St. Michael men were arrested after a high speed chase on Eddy County 1 Wednesday. Deputies attempted to execute a traffic stop on Jeff Schempp of St. Michael for speeding, but he fled in his car at speeds over 100 mph on Eddy County 1 headed west towards Sheyenne. Just before he got to Sheyenne, he turned into the Warsing Dam drive, abandoned his car and ran into the bushes. Authorities say he had methamphetamine paraphernalia in his possession. He was cited for speeding, eluding an officer, reckless driving and other violations. As Jeff Schempp’s arrest was underway, the sheriff’s office received a report that another vehicle down the road was watching the incident. They determined that the vehicle was owned by Fred Schempp III, also of St. Michael, who had two active warrants for his arrest out of Ramsey County. He also had methamphetamine in his possession and a loaded handgun in the vehicle, authorities allege. Formal charges on both men are pending.

Antone R. Eback Jr. of Ft. Totten has been charged with driving under the influence, driving under suspension and refusal to halt after a May 16 traffic stop. Eback was initially stopped for speeding on Eddy County 1 east of Sheyenne. Authorities allege Eback had an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and refused to take a breathalyzer test at the scene, and that this is his second such offense in the last seven years. This is also Eback’s third DUS offense. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in court on June 8. His pre-trial conference is set for Aug. 20.

Kelsey M. Desjarlais of Ft. Totten was sentenced for driving under suspension. She was stopped May 31 on Hwy. 281. She pleaded guilty to the charge in court on June 24, and Judge Hovey ordered her to pay $350 in fines and fees. Her 2-day jail sentence was suspended for 360 days of unsupervised probation.

Authorities stopped Daniel Swartout of Bowdon May 23 on Hwy. 281 and charged him with Class A Misdemeanor driving under suspension. According to the criminal complaint, this is Swartout’s fourth offense in 5 years. He was previously convicted in Stutsman County (2019), Fargo Municipal Court (2017) and Eddy County (2017). When Swartout failed to make his initial appearance on June 8, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested on the bench warrant two days later, then pleaded not guilty in court on June 24. His pre-trial conference is set for Sept. 10.

Wyatt A. Redfox of Warwick also faces a DUI charge. He was initially stopped along Eddy County 1 on May 17 for failure to display proper license plates. Redfox refused to submit to a chemical test, authorities say, and was also cited for failure to wear a seatbelt and for not having liability insurance. He pleaded not guilty in court on June 8, and he’s due in court for a pre-trial conference on Aug. 20.

Dedrick Greybear of Ft. Totten was arrested for driving under the influence on May 16 after authorities caught him driving on the wrong side of the road. He posted $500 cash bail and pleaded not guilty to the charge in court on June 8. He is also due in court on Aug. 20.

Cecilia Williams’ 2016 and 2017 cases were closed by authorities at an Order to Show Cause hearing last month. Williams was sentenced for disorderly conduct, possession of controlled substance, simple assault, preventing arrest and other offenses. An Order to Show Cause was previously scheduled for April 13. 2017, after she failed to make monthly payments to the court as agreed. A bench warrant was issued April 13 when she did not appear. Williams was arrested on the bench warrant nearly three years later, on or about March 19, 2020. The Order to Show Cause was rescheduled for March 25, 2020 and then reset for June 8, 2020. States Attorney Ashley Lies, the defendant and her attorney Samuel Gereszeka ll, all appeared telephonically. The Order to Show Cause was dismissed per the Plea Agreement on case numbers 14-2016-CR-105, 14-2016-CR-122 & 14-2017-CR.051. The 50 community service hours were vacated, and the $275.00 balance owed the Court was paid from the bond posted on case number 14-2016-CR-122. Williams is subject to 2 years of supervised probation.

Alicia Barnett, a.k.a. Alicia Kiser, of New Rockford is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for felony possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested after a search of her home on April 24. She pleaded guilty to the charge on June 24. The sentence was ordered concurrent with a Ward County case in which Barnett was also serving time. This is Barnett’s fourth drug-related offense in her adult life, as she was previously convicted in Eddy County in 2003, Cass County in 2004 and again in Eddy County earlier this year. She will also pay $560 in fines and fees once she’s released from incarceration. The Court recommended that the Barnett be considered for placement at the Tompkins Rehabilitation & Corrections Center, Jamestown N.D., at a time deemed appropriate by corrections personnel. If the Defendant qualifies and successfully completes the Tompkins program, the Court strongly encourages the Defendant to be considered for parole.

Dennis E. Hill of Ft. Totten was stopped on June 12 for disregarding a stop sign. He was charged with misdemeanor driving under suspension and possession of marijuana after a subsequent search of his vehicle. He entered a written plea of guilty and waived his right to appear. His 2-day jail sentence was suspended, and he is subject to 360 days of probation and $600 in fines and fees

Joseph LaVallie of Devils Lake pleaded guilty to Class C Felony driving under suspension and Class B Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia in court on June 24. He was arrested June 8 on Eddy County 1. He was also cited for open container, not wearing a seatbelt and not having liability insurance. His 18-month prison sentence was suspended for two years of supervised probation, and he was ordered to complete a chemical dependency evaluation and participate in a program at the Lake Region Re-Entry Center. He was assessed $525 in fines and fees as well. This is LaVallie’s third driving under suspension conviction.

Tucker Longnecker of New Rockford was arrested on Feb. 28 and charged with driving under the influence, minor in consumption, and possession of marijuana. The charges were filed after the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call regarding a “deceased” person in a vehicle that was stuck in the ditch. Longnecker was not deceased, but rather intoxicated. A breathalyzer test revealed that his BAC was twice the legal limit. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Longnecker’s DUI charge was reduced to reckless driving and his minor in consumption charge was dismissed. In court on June 26, he received a 5 day suspended jail sentence, was assessed $600 in fines and fees and was ordered to complete 20 hours of community service.