Initial appearances

Matthew Jonathan Anderson, 40, Hager City, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Dec. 4 on an operate without valid license (second within three years) charge. A status conference is set for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 2.

Brandon Cooper Backhaus, 45, River Falls, pleaded not guilty and was ordered to pay $125 Nov. 26 on knowingly violate a domestic abuse order – temporary restraining order, knowingly violate a domestic abuse order and two misdemeanor bail jumping charges. A status conference is slated for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 30.

Blake Donald Field, 33, Ellsworth, posted a $10,000 signature bond Dec. 1 on misdemeanor bail jumping and three felon bail jumping charges. A status conference is set for 2:45 p.m. Jan. 13.

Robert Daniel Horacek, 46, Zimmerman, Minn., pleaded not guilty and was ordered to pay $500 cash bond Dec. 1 on OWI-second and operating with PAC-second charges. A status conference is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Jan. 5.

Derek Daniel Koch, 33, Bay City, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Dec. 1 on an operating while revoked (alcohol related, repeater) charge. A status conference is set for 11:45 a.m. Jan. 12.

Mary Elizabeth Melstrom, 49, River Falls, posted a $2,000 signature bond Dec. 1 on felony battery to certain individuals involved with a court or legal system and disorderly conduct charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 14.

Amber Lee Mitchell, 28, River Falls, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Dec. 1 on an operate without valid license (second within three years) charge. A status conference is slated for 10:45 a.m. Dec. 22.

Thomas Robert Cody O’Shea, 27, Prescott, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Dec. 1 on an operate without valid license (second within three years) charge. A status conference is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Jan. 6.

Jillian Brenda Smith, 37, Prescott, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Dec. 1 on an ignition interlock device tampering/failure to install/violate court order charge. A status conference is set for 1:45 p.m. Jan. 12.

Raymond Charles Stone, 64, Ellsworth, pleaded not guilty and posted a $1,000 signature bond Dec. 1 on a disorderly conduct charge. A status conference is set for 2 p.m. Jan. 12.

Estiven Israel Tenezaca Mendez, 21, Hammond, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Dec. 1 on an operate without valid license (second within three years) charge. A status conference is slated for 1:45 p.m. March 2.

Angela Jane Zwack, 40, homeless, Ellsworth, pleaded not guilty and posted a $1,000 signature bond on resisting or obstructing an officer and possess drug paraphernalia charges Dec. 1. A status conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 20.

Closed cases

Joann Lee Gabert, 50, Red Wing, Minn., was convicted of felony possession of methamphetamine Dec. 1, sentenced to one year’s probation and fined $518. A possess drug paraphernalia charge was dismissed. The charge resulted from a March 30, 2024 incident.

Lonnie M. Huppert, 56, Ellsworth, was convicted of ATV or UTV – cause injury while intoxicated Dec. 1, sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $443. An ATV or UTV – cause injury with PAC .08+ charge was dismissed. The charges stemmed from a Nov. 29, 2024 incident.

Shawn Robert Weber, 33, Elmwood, was convicted of operate without valid license (second within three years) and fined $443 Dec. 1. The charge resulted from a Dec. 24, 2024 incident.

Joey Lamont Wilson, 46, Prescott, was convicted of cause bodily harm (domestic abuse) and disorderly conduct (domestic abuse) Dec. 1, sentenced to one year’s probation and fined $920.80. The charges stemmed from an Aug. 10 incident.