Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Two men serving prison time for violating parole

George L. Miller Jr. of Devils Lake was sentenced to one year and one day at the N.D. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, after he violated conditions of his probation stemming from a 2019 drug conviction. Miller committed other crimes while on probation in Ramsey County and failed to meet with his probation officer as required.

Miller was initially stopped for speeding, then arrested on July 23, 2019 and charged with possession of methamphetamines, a Class C Felony, and misdemeanor possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. This was Miller’s second meth offense. In exchange for his guilty plea, Judge Hovey sentenced him to two years at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, all suspended for two years probation, on Oct. 16, 2019.

In court on May 13, Hovey sentenced him to one year and one day at DOCR, with six months suspended. He will not serve probation upon his release. A civil judgment was filed against him for the $1,860 in fines and fees remaining to be paid in the case.

Jacob O. Gable of New Rockford (formerly of Harvey) appeared in court on June 10 for a parole violation. He was serving two years of probation, after he had been released from prison for driving under the influence. Gable’s probation was violated because he removed and destroyed the ankle bracelet he was required to wear, continued to use methamphetamine and alcohol, and failed to maintain employment. Judge Hovey sentenced him to one year and one day at the N.D. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and filed a $1,750 civil judgment against him for the remaining fines and fees owed. Once Gable is released from DOCR, he will not be subject to probation, per the disposition.

On October 25, 2018, an Eddy County deputy stopped Gable for speeding along the U.S. Hwy. 281. The deputy observed signs of impairment, so he conducted field sobriety tests. Gable failed the sobriety tests, and a breathalyzer taken at the scene revealed that his blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit. This was Gable’s fourth DUI offense in North Dakota, and therefore he was found guilty of a Class C Felony. He was also charged with misdemeanor driving under suspension. He was sentenced to one year and one day in jail in March of 2019. He previously had convictions in Cass County (2007), Bottineau County (2011), Wells County (2012) and Polk County, Minn. (2015).

Hurst charged with felony assault after

altercation

Cameron T. Hurst of New Rockford faces three assault charges after allegedly assaulting three men at a party in New Rockford on June 6. According to the criminal complaint, Hurst got into an altercation with the men while at the party. He allegedly caused serious bodily injury to one man by “kicking him in the ribs and punching him in the face repeatedly,” knocking the victim unconscious and breaking several bones in his face, prompting a Class C Felony charge. The victim reportedly had to undergo reconstructive surgery to his face as a result of his injuries. Hurst was also charged with two counts of simple assault. The complaints in those two filings allege that Hurst struck and pushed two other individuals who were attempting to break up the altercation.

Hurst appeared in court on June 10, where he pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges. His preliminary hearing/arraignment on the felony charge is set for July 15.

Speldrich arrested for DUI

Michael D. Speldrich of Sheyenne is charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence after a June 6 incident. Authorities allegedly had two run-ins with Speldrich that evening, the first occurring around 9 p.m. when deputies responded to a call that he had broken into a home in New Rockford. The deputy observed Speldrich acting as if under the influence, skipping, swinging his arms, talking fast, etc. according to the complaint. While the deputy worked to secure the residence, Speldrich allegedly drove away in a Dodge truck. An hour and a half later, another call came in about Speldrich, this time from a woman claiming he was following her in his truck, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She said he “was acting crazy and may have been high on meth.” A short while later, the deputy located Speldrich in a ditch, with his hands in the air. Speldrich was arrested at the scene for DUI drugs as his pickup was parked down the road and the keys were in his pocket. Speldrich refused the test offered by the deputy which is a separate crime in ND He was arrested at the scene.

Speldrich pleaded not guilty to the charge in court on June 10. If convicted, this will be Speldrich’s second DUI offense in the last seven years. He was previously convicted in Foster County in 2016.

Correction

In last week’s crime and court report, I identified a suspect by the wrong first name. The suspect’s correct name is Jared Jorgenson. We apologize for the error, and have reprinted the excerpt below with the correct suspect’s name.  

On March 6, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Jared** Jorgenson of New Rockford, due to lack of visible registration. The deputy activated the emergency lights on his vehicle near the Rockford Cafe. According to the complaint, Jorgenson then allegedly accelerated rapidly, went around the block and drove through another intersection before stopping. He pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of fleeing a police officer and driving under suspension. His pre-trial conference was set for June 10.