Berndt, Kehn receive felony sentences in OTC court

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Douglas Alan Berndt, 31, of Pelican Rapids, and Matthew Allen Kehn, 31, of Wadena, appeared in county court, Fergus Falls, related to felony charges. The court decisions are summarized in this report.

Berndt case

Douglas Alan Berndt, convicted of third-degree felony drug possession, received a stay of imposition in county court on Dec. 2, 2022. Under the stay, Berndt will have his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor if he stays law abiding during a probationary period of five years.

He was ordered by the judge to complete a chemical assessment and follow recommendations of evaluation. Berndt, under the stay of imposition, must refrain from using alcohol and/or controlled substances. The exception is use of prescribed medications.

Berndt served 33 days of local confinement. He is responsible for court fees totaling $660. He must cooperate with the search of his person, residence, vehicle, workplace and property as directed by his probation officer.

Kehn case

Matthew Allen Kehn, convicted of second-degree felony drug possession, has served 145 days in local confinement. The judge, on Dec. 19, 2022, said Kehn will have no further jail time if he remains law abiding for the next 25 years.

The judge ordered Kehn to have a mental health evaluation and follow recommendations of the evaluation. He must not consume alcohol or take part in use of controlled substances.  The exception is use of prescribed medications.

Court fees, the responsibility of Kehn, amounted to $125. Kehn must provide a DNA sample when directed and he cannot use or possess firearms, ammunition or explosives. He must fully cooperate with requests from his probation officer.