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• Beldenville man gets five years probation for drug charge
• Elmwood woman gets probation for battery case
• River Falls teen gets probation for property damage

By Jason Schulte, RiverTowns staff

A Beldenville man was sentenced to five years probation Thursday in Pierce County Circuit Court for possession with intent to sell amphetamines.

Rodney E. Christopherson, 45, will also have to serve nine months jail as a probation term for that charge. He was also sentenced to two years probation for felony theft. Those probation terms will be concurrent to each other.

"If you don't work on your recovery, you will be going to prison," Pierce County Circuit Court Judge Robert Wing told Christopherson during the sentence.

The charges relate to an April incident for which he was originally charged with three felony theft charges and multiple drug-related charges. He pled guilty to the amphetamine and one of the theft charges in August.

Pierce County Sheriff's Lt. Dennis Sorenson explained the drug-related charges came from an investigation done when a suspicious vehicle was parked at the Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, located a mile from Christopherson's home. Information from that arrest and further information helped investigators obtain the necessary information to get a search warrant.

For more please read the Nov. 4 print issue of the Herald.

By Jason Schulte, RiverTowns staff

An Elmwood woman was sentenced Friday in Pierce County Circuit Court to one year probation for substantial battery.

Diana L. Carsten, 49, was found guilty of the charge earlier this month in a jury trial.

The charge stems from an incident last November at the Long Branch Bar in Elmwood, when Carsten was accused of throwing a beer bottle at a waitress.

Court records state a bartender told police she was talking to Carsten's boyfriend when he left a tip on the counter and walked away. As the bartender turned around, she was struck in the mouth by a beer bottle, resulting in chipped teeth and an estimated $3,037 in repair work. The bartender claimed Carsten called her several vulgar names before the incident and the bartender asked her to leave.

Carsten maintained her innocence throughout, stating she was leaving on her own when she tripped on a stool and the bottle flew out of her hand as she tried to regain her balance. She said she didn't know where the bottle went.

For more please read the Nov. 4 print issue of the Herald.

By Jason Schulte, RiverTowns staff

A River Falls teenager was placed on probation for one year after pleading guilty Friday in Pierce County Circuit Court to criminal damage to property and resisting/obstructing an officer.

Keegan D. Enloe, 18, was initially charged with felony police battery and disorderly conduct relating to the same incident. Those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Enloe was facing these charges from an incident in the early morning hours of Aug. 24 when River Falls police was dispatched to the power plant at 401 S. Winter St., River Falls, for an individual, later identified as Enloe, banging on the door and being disorderly, according to the criminal complaint.

After a few minutes, UW-River Falls Police Officer Matt Peterson stated over the radio assistance was needed.

RF Officer Matt Kennett's report stated that, upon his arrival, he noticed a male between ages 16 and 18, and the individual appeared to be intoxicated. Kennett stated that, as Peterson tried to speak to the individual to gain information, he responded with profanities.

For more please read the Nov. 4 print issue of the Herald.