Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Five sentenced for felony offenses in Eddy County Court, four serving time

A man who assaulted three men at a party this summer will not spend any time in jail. Cameron T. Hurst of New Rockford was charged with Class C Felony aggravated assault and two counts of misdemeanor simple assault, after the incident in New Rockford on June 6. Court records say he 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 the Class C Felony charge. The victim reportedly had to undergo reconstructive surgery to his face as a result of his injuries. He also struck and pushed two other individuals who were attempting to break up the altercation, which resulted in the simple assault charges.

In court on Sept. 29, Hurst pleaded guilty to the charges. As he had no prior offenses as an adult, Judge James Hovey granted presumptive probation, allowing him to avoid jail time. His two-year prison sentence, therefore, was suspended for three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $560 in fines and fees. A restitution hearing has been scheduled for November 12 at 2:30 pm. The men Hurst assaulted have amassed over $200,000 in medical bills, authorities say.

Colleen J. Wolters of Fort Totten entered an Alford plea in a 2020 drug case. She was traveling with Darin J. Tuenge of Devils Lake on July 27, 2020, when he was stopped for speeding. When a subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a bag containing methamphetamine, a digital scale, and hundreds of small plastic bags, Tuenge claimed the bag belonged to Wolters.

Wolters was charged with Class B Felony possession with intent to deliver both marijuana and methamphetamines, and cited for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She entered Alford pleas for the felony charges in court on Sept. 29, and Judge Hovey sentenced her to 14 months at the Tompkins Rehabilitation and Corrections Unit in Jamestown. She was given credit for 14 days served and will be subject to three years supervised probation upon release from prison. She was also ordered to pay $1,310 in fines and fees.

A New Rockford man accused of terrorizing women has been sentenced to five years in prison. Aaron L. Morse of New Rockford, 28, set up a fake Facebook profile and attempted to purchase clothing from a female victim known only in court documents as “Jane Doe” in late January. After she said she did not feel comfortable meeting him in Devils Lake to deliver the clothing as he requested, he threatened sexual assault more than once and sent her disturbing sexual messages. He also sent her videos of himself and claimed to know where she lived due to her IP address.

Morse has remained in custody since February. In court on Sept. 29, he pleaded guilty to the felony charge, and was sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary. Two years were suspended, and credit was given for the 236 days he has already spent in jail. Morse will be subject to three years supervised probation. The judge also granted a no contact order to prohibit him from contacting the victim and ordered that he register as a sex offender.

Duane Mudgett of New Rockford pleaded guilty to Class B Felony misapplication of entrusted property for stealing nearly $40,000 from the Dollar General store in New Rockford.

Between November 21, 2020 and January 11, 2021, Mudgett prepared deposit slips in his assigned duties while employed at the store, but did not actually deposit the money. He would leave the building with the money and deposit slip, then return and log into the company computer under another employee’s name to indicate that the deposit had been validated by the deposit. Other times, the validation or slip was never returned to the building. Dollar General’s Cash Auditor reported that a total of $38,603.80 had been stolen in this manner.

While the Class B Felony charge could have resulted in up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of $20,000, or both, Mudgett received much less. His two-year state prison sentence was reduced to 60 days at the Lake Region Correctional Center. The remaining year and 10 months were suspended, and he is subject to five years of supervised probation once released from jail. He also was ordered to pay $38,603.80 in restitution.

Thomas L. Hibpshman, Jr. of Fargo will serve 18 months behind bars after leading authorities on a high speed chase through rural Eddy County and into New Rockford last January.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, officers approached a blue Jeep Cherokee that was parked on the side of a restricted road north of the canal.

Hibpshman and a female companion were sleeping inside the vehicle with a gray pitbull. They asked the deputy to allow them to get dressed and then fled the scene. Police pursued the vehicle at high speeds through Eddy County, as the vehicle traveled down ditches and into fields before entering the city limits of New Rockford. Officers ended the pursuit in New Rockford for safety reasons, and the suspects got away.

Hibpshman appeared in court on Aug. 12, and pleaded guilty to Class C Felony fleeing and misdemeanor reckless driving. Judge Hovey sentenced him to 18 months in state prison, with credit for 23 days served. He shall serve two years of supervised probation upon release.

Hibpshman Jr., is a violent offender who was wanted in both Minnesota and North Dakota at the time of the incident. His offenses in Minnesota include probation violation and failure to register as a sex offender. He also has a warrant for child welfare information system violations in North Dakota. Hibpsman Jr. has multiple tattoos on his chest, arms, and back.

Robert L. Redroad pleaded guilty to driving under suspension on Aug. 26. Although it was his fourth such offense in the past five years, he received no jail time. His nine-day jail sentence was wiped away once credit was given for time served prior to his conviction. Redroad was not assessed any fines and fees either. He represented himself in the case.

Mitchell Haman of New Rockford pleaded guilty to reckless driving. The incident occured on July 4. Haman reached a plea agreement with the court, and as a result, his 30-day jail sentence was suspended for one year of unsupervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $1,750 in fines and fees.