Initial appearances

Steven William Anderson, 63, Woodville, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Oct. 6 on OWI-second and operating with PAC-second charges. A status conference is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 3.

Tanner Stephen Brown, 31, River Falls, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Oct. 6 on an operate without valid license (third within three years) charge. A status conference is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Nov. 3.

Kendra Allyse Buettner, 35, Minneapolis, was ordered to pay $250 cash bond Oct. 2 on felony possess with intent – amphetamine/methamphetamine, felony possession of narcotic drugs, possess drug paraphernalia and two felony bail jumping charges. A preliminary hearing is slated for 2 p.m. Oct. 9.

Franklin Orlando Contento Lapo, 46, Cottage Grove, Minn., pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Oct. 6 on operate without valid license (second within three years) and ignition interlock device tampering/failure to install/violate court order charges. A status conference is set for 11:15 a.m. Jan. 28.

Audina Aremi Gomez Lopez, 24, South St. Paul, Minn., pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Oct. 6 on an operate without valid license (second within three years) charge. A status conference is slated for 11 a.m. Jan. 28.

Leo Prestin Grotto, 30, Ellsworth, posted a $10,000 signature bond Oct. 3 on a felony forgery – uttering charge. A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 30.

Autumn Jo Marie Hendon, 21, Maiden Rock, pleaded not guilty and posted a $2,500 signature bond Oct. 6 on OWI-second, operating with PAC-second, possession of cocaine/coca and ignition interlock device tampering/failure to install/violate court order charges. A status conference is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Nov. 4.

Raul Alejandro Hernandez, 48, River Falls, pleaded not guilty and posted a $1,000 signature bond Oct. 6 on a disorderly conduct (domestic abuse) charge. A status conference is slated for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 3.

Austin E. Lardani, 29, Prescott, pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Oct. 6 on ignition interlock device tampering/failure to install/violate court order and operating while revoked (alcohol related) charges. A status conference is set for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 3.

Adam Robert Lofquist, 51, Ellsworth, posted a $10,000 signature bond Oct. 6 on felony possession of methamphetamine and three felony bail jumping charges. A preliminary hearing is slated for 10:45 a.m. Dec. 16.

Gilbert Orantes, 31, River Falls, was ordered to pay $500 cash bond Oct. 2 on felony strangulation and suffocation (domestic abuse), battery (domestic abuse) and disorderly conduct (domestic abuse) charges. A status conference is set for 2:45 p.m. Nov. 4.

Noah Brien Stewart, 22, River Falls, posted a $10,000 signature bond Oct. 6 on felony threat to cause bodily harm to certain individuals involved with the court or legal system, battery and disorderly conduct charges. A status conference is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Nov. 4.

Samantha Mae Webster, 25, Elmwood, pleaded not guilty and posted a $2,500 signature bond Oct. 6 on OWI-second and operating with PAC-second charges. A status conference is slated for 11:15 a.m. Nov. 3.

Closed cases

Maurino Allende Sosa, 32, Newport, Minn., was convicted of operate without carrying a license Oct. 7 and fined $277.80. The charge stemmed from a Dec. 10, 2024 incident.

Andrew Christopher Castillo, 56, Prescott, was convicted of operate without carrying a license Oct. 6 and fined $277.80. The charge resulted from an Aug. 11 incident.

At an Oct. 1 probation revocation hearing, Trevor James Holst, 43, Hager City, was sentenced to two years in prison and four years of extended supervision stemming from a Dec. 2, 2024 conviction on felony possession of methamphetamine (repeater), felony possess firearm/convicted of a felony and felony receiving stolen property > $5,000-$10,000 or firearm charges. His probation was revoked July 17. The charges stemmed from incidents Oct. 12, 2022 and Feb. 18, 2024.

Americo Marcus Lopez, 49, River Falls, was convicted of operate without carrying a license Oct.  6 and fined $277.80. The charge resulted from an Aug. 11 incident.

Jesse Michael Merila-Frostman, 43, Brule, was convicted of two knowingly violate a domestic abuse order – injunction (domestic abuse), battery (domestic abuse), battery and knowingly violate a domestic abuse order – temporary restraining order (domestic abuse) charges Oct. 2, sentenced to nine months in jail and two months of probation, fined $2,515 and ordered to undergo mental health and alcohol assessments. Six misdemeanor bail jumping charges were read in but dismissed. Disorderly conduct (domestic abuse), three knowingly violate a domestic abuse order – injunction and misdemeanor bail jumping charges were dismissed. Felony intimidate victim/domestic abuse crime, knowingly violate a domestic abuse order (domestic abuse) and three misdemeanor bail jumping charges were dismissed before the initial appearance. The charges stemmed from incidents Oct. 13, 2024; Oct. 30, 2024; Nov. 19, 2024; June 5, July 28 and Aug. 26 in Prescott.

Charlene Ann Stuart, 53, River Falls, was convicted of felony possession of methamphetamine Oct. 1, sentenced to three years or probation and fined $518. St. Croix County felony bail jumping, felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of THC charges were read in but dismissed. Felony possession of THC (second+) and possess drug paraphernalia charges were dismissed. The charges resulted from a June 25 incident.