Fentanyl circulating in area, sheriff warns

On Tuesday, April 26, the Benson County Sheriff's Office issued a press release warning residents that Fentanyl has been circulating in the area.

"Drugs laced with fentanyl have begun circulating in Benson County and the Sheriff's Office wishes to make the community at large aware of this," the press release states, "as there is an increased danger to those who may be unaware of its presence."

The press release adds, "Fentanyl can and often does cause a decrease in the body's drive to breathe, and thus if not detected and treated immediately often leads to death."

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid originally developed as a pain reliever for patients with cancer, and is up to 100 times stronger than morphine.

The DEA adds that fentanyl is often ingested unknowingly, and therefore causes unexpected and severe overdoses.

As recently as Monday, April 25, a man in Arkansas was accused of manslaughter after distributing pills to individuals that, unbeknownst to them, contained fentanyl. Consequently, multiple overdoses occurred, some of which lead to death.

The release from the Benson County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who suspects a friend, family member or loved one of having overdosed, to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.

"Benson County Sheriff's Office will continue to work closely with Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement agencies to look out for the safety and well-being of our community members and enforcement," the release states, "however this can't be accomplished without the assistance of the community. If you see something, say something, it might save a life!"

Here in Eddy County, meanwhile, the Sheriff's Department has been hard at work.

On March 28, Loren J. Anderson was charged with domestic violence, a Class B misdemeanor, after an altercation with his girlfriend at their home in rural Eddy County.

A complaint filed with the Southeast Judicial District alleges the offense occurred "when the Defendant got into an argument with his girlfriend/household member ... about her phone."

The document goes on to allege the argument escalated into a physical altercation, at which point Anderson shoved his girlfriend "up against their car to try to get her phone."

"Inside their house," the document adds, "the Defendant then grabbed her by her hair to pull/move her around the house ... During another point, the Defendant placed [his girlfriend] into a headlock during which she stated she was unable to breathe."

The arresting officer allegedly saw red marks on the girlfriend's neck consistent with being placed in a headlock, and on a scale of 1-10, the girlfriend rated her pain level at seven.

In the case report, Deputy Bittmann of the Eddy County Sheriff's Office writes, "Loren said [his girlfriend] had been going ballistic on him over the last three months and that today he log-chained her vehicle to the camper in his yard so if she tried to back up she would be attached to the camper and couldn't leave."

Bittmann also writes in the case report that, according to Anderson's girlfriend, the fight began in the afternoon in Devils Lake when Anderson demanded "that she give him her phone or that she would have to get out and walk home."

Anderson admitted to Deputy Bittmann the fight started in Devils Lake and that he was after the phone, but added his girlfriend choked him, and contends that he bought the phone to begin with, according to the case report.

If convicted, Anderson faces up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of $1,500, or both. His initial appearance is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, and he's considered innocent unless proven guilty.

On March 9, Marnie S. Lawrence of New Rockford pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class B misdemeanor. Lawrence was assessed $750 in various fees and fines, and is under unsupervised probation until September 9.

The following day, on March 10, Terry A. Brashaw of Sheyenne was assessed a $250 fine after he pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.

Meanwhile, on March 3, Nathan Rue of New Rockford was charged with DUI of alcohol in excess of 0.16%. Rue pled guilty nearly a month later on March 29, and Judge James D. Hovey assessed $1,025 in various fees and fines.

Rue is also under unsupervised probation until March 2023, during which time he must complete 20 hours of community service.