Sheriff warns residents of active scam

An elderly New Rockford resident received a suspicious check for over $8,000 in the mail last week, along with a letter claiming that she had won $750,000 in the North American Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes of Canada/USA. Her daughter brought the letter to the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office as a precaution, and it was a good thing she did.

Yes, Virginia, this is a scam (No, that’s not the victim’s real name). The letter stated that the check was to be deposited into the recipient’s bank account and used to pay taxes and processing fees assessed by the international sweepstakes and IRS.

“I basically told her any lotto winner company isn’t going to send you money to help pay for taxes, not going to ask you to cash a check, and send them money back,” Sheriff Paul Lies said on Monday.

The routing number on the fraudulent check links to a Bank of America branch location in Virginia, while the name and address of the check issuer is Sunray Enterprises in Atlanta, Ga.

Lies said unsolicited mail claiming to come out of Canada is usually a scam. “The reason Canada is such a wild card is they will ask you to send them money via wire transfer which can be picked up anywhere in Canada that has a money transfer location,” Lies explained. In the U.S., wire transfers need to be sent to a specific location.

Residents are encouraged to be observant to questionable communications by mail and by phone, as scammers continue to operate and deceive unknowing individuals.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Court Report

Two men charged after a Labor Day weekend bar fight in downtown New Rockford were sentenced in December.

Jeremy Martin and Jordan Martin, both of New Rockford, reached a plea agreement with authorities. Jordan Martin initially pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and simple assault, then reached a plea agreement that effectively downgraded his felony aggravated assault charge to a misdemeanor. He also pleaded guilty to simple assault, also a misdemeanor. On December 7, Judge Troy LeFevre assessed $560 in fines and fees and ordered that Jordan Martin have no contact with the victim. A restitution hearing was also ordered to be held within 60 days. As of press time the date for the restitution hearing had not been set.

Jeremy Martin represented himself in court on Dec. 9. He entered an Alford plea for his disorderly conduct charge, which does not admit guilt, but states that he is aware there is enough evidence to convict. LeFevre assessed $550 in fines and fees and 360 days of unsupervised probation.

Others charged in the Sept. 4 bar fight have not been sentenced.

Several others were sentenced in November:

Schylar Abell, Valley City, was charged with driving under suspension, fourth or subsequent offense in five years, and disorderly conduct on Aug. 27, 2021. Court documents say that when he was stopped for driving under suspension, Abell exited his vehicle and verbally threatened the deputy. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 26 days suspended and given credit for four days served, assessed $660 fines and fees, with 360 days of unsupervised probation. He was also sentenced for disorderly conduct, with 10 days in jail (suspended).

Jerry Fiebelkorn-Barrett of New Rockford pleaded guilty to class C felony criminal trespass. According to court documents, he entered a Sheyenne home through a window and crawled around the house to avoid being seen by the surveillance cameras. The homeowner came home to find Barrett hiding in the bathroom. In court, on Nov. 18, 2021, his 30-day jail sentence was suspended for one year and one day of unsupervised probation, and he was assessed $660 in fines and fees.

Monte R. Herman also pleaded guilty to driving under suspension, his third offense in five years. He was arrested on Hwy. 281 on Aug. 31, 2021. Herman was sentenced to 30 days in jail, all suspended for 360 days probation, and assessed $550 in fines and fees.

Monae Mendoza of Sheyenne was issued an infraction for possession of marijuana and assessed a $100 fine.

Mariah Red Fox of Sheyenne was sentenced for giving false information to law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia. Court documents say she was involved in a domestic dispute in Sheyenne on Nov. 9, 2021. She gave the arresting officer a fake name and date of birth to avoid detention, as she had outstanding warrants. Red Fox was also extradited to Spirit Lake Nation thereafter, to answer charges of driving under the influence and unlawful ingestion.

Kyle Stroh of Hot Springs, S.D. was sentenced for driving under suspension on Aug. 27. He served two days in jail and paid $250 in fines and fees.