Brown County District Court

• A felony 1st-degree drug sale charge was filed July 5, 2023 against Caleb J. McCollum, 35, 11701 110th Ave., Madelia. A remote hearing was set for 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

According to court documents, Brown Lincoln Redwood Renville (BLRR) Drug Task Force agent Mullenbach was contacted by a confidential informant (CI) Nov. 3, 2022 who said they could buy one ounce (28 grams) of methamphetamine from McCollum at his rural Sleepy Eye residence for $600.

The CI was outfitted with a covert transmitting and recording device and $600 in pre-recorded task force buy funds before he pulled into McCollum’s property, contacted him, handed him $600 and received a clear plastic baggie with two separate baggies with a clear, crystalline substance agent Mullenbach recognized as being methamphetamine and field-tested positive for it. The baggies and substance weighed about 29 grams on a non-certified digital scale.

McCollum was previously convicted of 1st and 2nd-degree controlled substance crimes in Watonwan County Court.

• Two counts of felony failure to register-predatory offender were filed July 5, 2023 against Nathan V. Ortiz, 26, 301 5th Ave. S.E., Sleepy Eye. According to court documents, a witness told Sleepy Eye Police Investigator Shawn Bohnen that Ortiz was living with her in Sleepy Eye after he was released from jail May 26, 2023 until June 12, 2023, but she didn’t know where he has lived since then.

On June 12, 2023, Ortiz called Sleepy Eye Police and told Investigator Bohnen he and the female witness broke up for good and he began living in New Ulm June 11, 2023. Investigator Bohnen told Ortiz he needed to update his address since he and the witness broke up. Ortiz is required to register as a predatory offender due to a 2017 Watonwan County false imprisonment conviction.

Sleepy Eye Police contacted Ortiz on June 10, 2023 as he was walking on Highway 14 between Sleepy Eye and New Ulm. Investigator Bohnen told Ortiz he needed to call law enforcement when he found a place to stay. On June 13, 2023, Investigator Bohnen was notified that Ortiz still had not contacted New Ulm Police Investigator Chris Moellenhoff to change his address.

Investigator Bohnen received an email on June 15, 2023 from Watonwan County Investigator Adam Butler that Ortiz registered at a Lewisville, Mn address June 14, 2023.

Ortiz was previously convicted of a predatory offender violation in Watonwan County Court.

• A felony theft charge was filed July 7, 2023 against Jamie L. Steckelberg, 36, Mapleton. A Zoom hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 1, 2023.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police Patrolwoman Christina Wright responded June 2, 2023 to Walmart for thefts that reportedly occurred Feb. 12, 2023. A Walmart asset protection (AP) worker said he noticed multiple stickers missing from tumbler and ice cream cups, watched video surveillance, looked at debit card history with the transactions and individual the individual involved as Steckelberg.

The grand total value of items stolen in 11 incidents from Feb. 12 to May 12, 2023 was $1,911.64. Officer Wright watched surveillance video and saw Steckelberg scanning items at the register that did not match items actually purchased.

Four vehicles used in the 11 incidents came back registered to Steckelberg’s mother and her boyfriend. Officer Wright called possible phone numbers for Steckelberg but they call were out of service.

• A gross misdemeanor issue dishonored check charge was filed July 5, 2023 against Gina M. Olson, 42, Mountain Lake. According to court documents, Sleepy Eye Police Investigator Shawn Bohnen met with a grocery store owner about a check dated June 10, 2023 for $278.97 that was returned as NSF (not sufficient funds).

On June 16, 2023, the store owner sent Olson a notice and demand for payment via certified mail. Olson received the notice and signed the green card June 21, 2023. Investigator Bohnen logged into the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Driver and Vehicle License (DVS) website, searched Olson nd downloaded her driver’s license photograph.

On June 28, 2023, Investigator Bohnen received a screenshot photo of the suspect from the grocery store owner, reviewed the photo and compared it to Olson’s driver’s license photo, which appeared to be similar.

Sibley County District Court

• Danny Holmbeck, 63, Gaylord, pled guilty to engage in electronic communications relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child July 6. A sentencing hearing was set for 1 p.m. Oct. 5, 2023.

• Brandon Ische, 35, Gaylord, pled guilty to neglect of child. A child endangerment count was dismissed. Ische received a stay of adjudication and was placed on one year supervised probation, fined $300, complete 16 hours of sentence to service or community work service and remain law abiding.

• Mackenzie Tiegs, 28, Gaylord, pled guilty to disorderly conduct. A domestic assault charge was dismissed. A pre-sentence investigation and sentencing hearing was set for 1 p.m. Sept. 7, 2023.