BENTON COUNTY

Hearing set for man accused of strangling Sauk Rapids woman to death

Lauren Breunig — Thu, 15 May 2025 21:10:40 GMT

FOLEY — A June 27 hearing is set for a man accused of strangling a Sauk Rapids woman to death in August.

Christopher Lee Neal, 45, of Aurora, faces two charges of second-degree murder and two counts of theft, according to Benton County court records.

Neal is accused of killing Victoria Gamble, 38, of Sauk Rapids on Aug. 12, 2024.

Neal is being held in Aitkin County Jail on unrelated charges. Benton County is waiting to hear when Neal while be transferred into their custody, Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck told St. Cloud LIVE Friday morning, May 16.

Investigators say Neal offered to drive Gamble home from a bar during the early hours of Aug. 12, 2024, according to court records. Gamble was found dead in her apartment, on 10th Avenue Northeast in Sauk Rapids, Benton County, later that day.

A week later, on Aug. 19, Neal was arrested in Louisiana with Gamble’s black 2016 Chevy Equinox on an existing Aitkin County, Minnesota, warrant. While in custody, Neal reportedly admitted to stealing Gamble's car when he took her keys from the counter, according to the criminal complaint.

At the time Neal met Gamble, he was out on bail from another strangulation case, according to court documents.

The Benton County Attorney’s Office charged Neal with four felonies: second-degree murder with intent — not premeditated; second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony; and two counts of theft — for taking a car without permission and for taking property or services worth $1,001 to $5,000, according to court records.

Each murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. Each theft charge carries a maximum sentence of five years and/or $10,000 fine.

Neal's contested omnibus hearing is Friday, June 27.

Correction:

Christopher Lee Neal is still in Aitkin County Jail and is waiting to be transferred into Benton County's custody. That detail was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. It has been corrected.

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Man killed in rural Sauk Rapids outbuilding fire

Staff reports — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:34:24 GMT

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. — One man was killed in a fire on Sunday, April 21, in rural Sauk Rapids.

The fire occurred in the 400 block of 75th Street NE in Watab Township, according to a Benton County Sheriff's Office news release.

At about 1:45 p.m. Sunday, a 911 caller reported finding a burning outbuilding and a man who was on fire near the outbuilding, according to the release. The 911 caller unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire burning on the man before calling 911.

When deputies arrived, they attempted to provide first aid to the man, but he was declared dead at the scene, according to the release.

The Sauk Rapids Fire Department extinguished the fire in the outbuilding and uncontrolled fires in two outdoor wood-burning stoves.

The Sauk Rapids Fire Department and Benton County Sheriff’s Office have enlisted the assistance of the State Fire Marshall in the investigation of the circumstances surrounding this fire and death, according to the release. The investigation is ongoing.

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As state seal changes, Minnesota sheriffs are tasked with replacing badges, vehicle decals and more

Lauren Breunig — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:05:00 GMT

ST. CLOUD — Now that Minnesota has a new state flag and seal, state agencies are starting the process to replace the old ones.

For sheriff's offices in Central Minnesota, that means changes to badges, uniform patches and sheriff's vehicle decals that show the old state seal. But area law enforcement agencies are waiting on word from state leaders before estimating the expenses of such a change.

The Benton County and Sherburne County sheriff’s offices are looking for guidance from the Minnesota Legislature on the best way to proceed.

“We have yet to research the costs,” said David Unze, communications specialist for Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office. “We are waiting for the Legislature to act on the recommendations of the committees that selected the new seal and flag and whether they give any guidance on the process of replacing the current seal and flag.”

The state seal is on Benton County badges, uniform patches, vehicles, stationary and more, according to Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck. The seal is featured on badges of Sherburne County sheriff’s office employees.

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office also features the state seal prominently on its badges and uniform patches.

The state Legislature passed a bill in May of 2023 to redesign the state seal and the flag. The old state seal of Minnesota depicts a white farmer tilling the soil, with a gun leaning against a nearby stump as a Native American riding a horse nearby looks in his direction. The old flag depicts the state seal against a blue background.

The new flag has the abstract outline of the state in dark blue along with an eight-point North Star and a light blue block to the other side. The star is the design used on the state Capitol rotunda floor. The new state seal depicts a loon as its centerpiece element.

Any state agencies and departments using the seal should put forth significant effort to update it by Jan. 1, 2025, according to state statute.

Heck said Benton County is also waiting for clarification from state lawmakers if local government will be required to adopt the new state seal, what timeline is recommended and if the state will provide any funding to assist in the seal transition.

“Transitioning to a new state seal will require a substantial investment of time and money,” Heck said in an email to St. Cloud LIVE. “Once we have answers to these questions, we will develop a transition plan that will include cost estimates."

Sartell Police Chief Brandon Silgjord told the Star Tribune that it could cost $20,000 to $30,000 to replace the seal on everything for the city’s 25-person department.

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Teen on snowmobile falls through ice on Little Rock Lake, climbs to safety

St. Cloud LIVE staff reports — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 01:33:50 GMT

BENTON COUNTY — Authorities say at 16-year-old snowmobiler fell through thin ice on Little Rock Lake Friday morning, Jan. 12.

The boy, from Rice, Minnesota, was treated for hypothermia at the scene, and taken to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital for further evaluation, according to a news release from Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck.

At about 11:30 a.m. Friday, a witness called the Benton County Sheriff’s Office reporting that a snowmobile had fallen through the ice on the main basin of Little Rock Lake, according to the release.

The caller reported seeing the snowmobile disappear below the water before observing the driver of the snowmobile climb back onto the ice. The caller reported the driver appeared to be walking toward a fish house near the St. Regis Landing on the lake, according to the release.

Heck said that, after coming out of the water, the boy contacted an angler in a fish house near the St. Regis Landing. The angler took the boy to shore from the fish house on another snowmobile.

The boy told investigating deputies that he had driven his snowmobile onto Little Rock Lake at the St. Regis access and headed to the southeast. Deputies learned that about a half mile from shore, the boy observed open water lying ahead of his path. The boy attempted to stop his snowmobile but was unable to avoid falling into the open water, according to the release.

The boy was treated at the scene for hypothermia by deputies and firefighters from the Rice Rescue Squad, according to the release. He was then taken via Mayo Ambulance to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital for further evaluation.

Heck said the sheriff’s office will work with the boy's family to "ensure the snowmobile is removed from the lake according to state law," according to the release.

Heck reminds residents that the ice remains thin on area lakes, despite cooling temperatures.

"Even with the drop in temperatures over the last several days, thin ice and open water exists on significant portions of Little Rock Lake and other area lakes," Heck said in the release. "Anyone venturing onto the ice should exercise extreme caution, use appropriate tools to test ice thickness, and have handy self-rescue or (flotation) devices."

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BCA releases details in Benton County police shooting investigation

Trent Abrego — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 21:45:54 GMT

FOLEY — State investigators have released more information in the Oct. 12 incident in which five officers were shot near Princeton in Benton County.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offered the details in a Wednesday, Oct. 18, news release.

Members of the Sherburne County Drug Task Force and Benton County Sheriff’s Office were serving a knock-and-announce narcotics search warrant at about 7:10 a.m. on Oct. 12 at the residence of Karl Holmberg, 64, in Glendorado Township, according to authorities.

After knocking and entering the home, an exchange of gunfire took place where five task force members were shot, according to the BCA. Six officers were in the residence at the time of the incident.

Two officers returned fire during the initial incident, according to authorities.

The officers left the home and called in negotiators. After more than three hours, Holmberg was convinced to exit the residence, authorities say. Eventually, one officer fired a single, less-lethal round and a K-9 was deployed to take Holmberg into custody.

Holmberg suffered minor injuries. After receiving medical treatment, Holmberg was taken to Benton County Jail. He faces six charges of attempted murder and six charges of first-degree assault in the incident.

He remains in the Benton County Jail on a $3 million conditional bail, or $6 million bail without conditions.

The BCA on Wednesday gave more information on the three officers who they say used force in the incident:

Benton County Deputy Ron Thomas fired a pistol. Thomas has eight years of law enforcement experience, according to the release. Sherburne County Patrol Sgt. Austin Turner fired the less-lethal round, according to BCA. Turner has eight years of law enforcement experience. A third officer works in an undercover capacity on the Sherburne County Drug Task Force. Under state law, the BCA said it will not release the officer's name.

All three officers are on standard administrative leave, according to the release.

Five of six officers involved in the incident were injured by gunfire: Three officers were flown to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, and the other two were taken by ambulance to CentraCare — St. Cloud hospital, according to court documents.

One officer remains hospitalized in stable condition, the BCA said.

Task force members were wearing body cameras that captured portions of the incident, which is being reviewed by BCA agents as part of the ongoing investigation.

At the crime scene, BCA personnel recovered 10 firearms at the scene along with ammunition and cartridge casings.

What we know

Holmberg’s wife, who was in the residence at the time of the shooting incident, was interviewed by agents, according to court documents filed on Oct. 13. She told authorities that she woke up to her husband telling her that “they” were here, and that it was “his day to die.”

According to documents, Holmberg asked her to check monitors that showed an exterior view of the property and observed police officers outside.

After hearing officers enter the home, Holmberg’s wife told authorities he began shooting a military-style rifle “blindly” through a closed bedroom door. Holmberg asked her to join the fight, and when she declined, he called her a coward, according to documents.

At the crime scene, officers found .223 shell casings in the room they say Holmberg was in during the initial incident.

In an interview with BCA agents later that day inside the North Memorial Medical Center, Holmberg indicated that he knew police officers were at the door and did not think they had a right to be there, according to court documents.

Online court records indicate Holmberg’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Each charge of attempted murder carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, while a charge of assault in the first degree — deadly force against a police officer has a sentencing guideline of not less than 10 years or more than 20 and/or $30,000.

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Benton County man facing attempted murder, assault charges in shooting that injured 5 officers

Trent Abrego — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 18:25:41 GMT

FOLEY — A Benton County man faces attempted murder charges after police say he shot five law enforcement officers during a standoff Thursday, Oct. 12.

Karl Thomas Holmberg, 64, of Glendorado Township, faces six counts of attempted murder in the first degree and six counts of assault in the first degree, according to charges filed Friday, Oct. 13, in Benton County.

Court documents shed light on the incident in which five officers were shot and injured.

At approximately 7:10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, officers with the Sherburne County Drug Task Force, accompanied by Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies, were attempting to serve a knock-and-announce narcotics search warrant at a residence outside of Princeton, according to court documents.

On an initial review of body-worn camera video, law enforcement officers can be heard announcing “police, search warrant,” multiple times, while knocking on the door, according to court documents.

A witness inside the residence at the time of the incident was later interviewed by authorities, saying she heard a sound in which she described as “the door being kicked in.” Documents do not indicate how the officers entered the home.

Upon entry into the residence, a male voice can be heard responding to officers, according to court documents.

Then, within seconds, gunshots can be heard on the body-worn camera, according to court documents. The witness told authorities that Holmberg began shooting “blindly” through a closed door with a military-style rifle.

Court documents say that numerous gunshots were fired as the officers retreated from the residence and medical attention was administered.

Five officers were shot and injured; a sixth officer was present, but was not shot.

Three of the injured officers were flown to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. Two other officers were taken to Centracare — St. Cloud Hospital via ambulance, according to court documents, where they were treated and later released. Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck on Thursday said that the injuries suffered by the officers were non-life-threatening.

As of Friday, two officers remained hospitalized with "substantial injuries." One of the officers was released Thursday night, according to court documents.

After several hours of negotiations Thursday, Holmberg was taken into custody at about 10:47 a.m.

The witness told authorities that she awoke to Holmberg telling her that “they were here,” and indicated to her that it was “his day to die.”

In an interview with agents from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at a hospital in Robbinsdale, Holmberg stated that he was in his bedroom and knew that police were at his door. Holmberg said he didn’t think the officers had a right to be in his home and told them to leave.

According to the court documents, Holmberg told agents his injuries included being shot in the foot. He further indicated to authorities that he was using a .223 rifle.

During crime scene processing of the residence, multiple guns were found in the room Holmberg was in, including handguns, a shotgun, a rifle and one of the officer’s guns, according to court documents. Casings matching the caliber Holmberg told authorities he used were also found in the room. Shell casings were also found in the living room area of the home. Shell casings from the bedroom and living room area appeared to be two distinct groupings, court documents said.

Heck on Thursday told reporters that law enforcement was aware of Holmberg before Thursday.

Holmberg is set to appear in a Benton County courtroom on Friday afternoon, Oct. 13, for a bail hearing.

Online court documents indicate Holmberg has two previous convictions for possession of controlled substances.

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5 officers shot, suspect arrested in central Minnesota

Trent Abrego — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:39:09 GMT

PRINCETON — Authorities have identified the man suspected in the shooting of five law enforcement officers during a search warrant execution in rural Benton County on Thursday morning, Oct. 12.

The suspect was identified as Karl Thomas Holmberg, 64 of Glendorado Township, according to Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck. Holmberg was injured during the incident, and treated at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Heck said during a Thursday afternoon news conference in Foley.

Heck declined to say why officers were serving a warrant.

"The details of the warrant aren't available to be discussed right now," Heck said. "The warrant will be filed according to proper procedure and those details can be obtained at that time once it's available from the court."

The incident began shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday, Heck said. Members of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Sherburne County Drug Task Force arrived at the residence at 190th Avenue NE and Glendorado Road NE, about 10 miles west of Princeton, Minnesota, to execute the warrant. During the incident, officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect.

The five injured officers include:

three Sherburne County Sheriff’s deputies; an investigator for the Elk River Police Department, and an investigator for the Princeton Police Department.

Two of the Sherburne County deputies were shot in their “vests” and treated and released at CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital, Heck said.

The three other officers were taken to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, where they continue to be treated for gunshot injuries as of Thursday afternoon.

All five officers are expected to survive, Heck said. Heck declined to identify the officer because he said they were working in an undercover capacity.

Authorities say a woman was in the residence at the time of the gunfire and was taken to M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton, where she was evaluated and released.

"This has been a difficult day for us in Benton County," Heck said. "We are grateful that the incident did not result in loss of life or further injury."

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident and is in the "very early stages," Special Agent Michelle Frascone told reporters.

The agency is working to process the scene and establish a timeline. The BCA is reviewing body-worn camera video, along with squad cameras and other video available, she said.

"We want everyone to know that we are working as quickly as possible to provide answers," Frascone said.

https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz/status/1712544746017796112

In a tweet, Gov. Tim Walz said his "thoughts are with the officers as they recover."

On Thursday morning, the Benton County Sheriff's Department released a notice saying the agency was being assisted by other agencies in a "critical incident."

The Minnesota BCA will release more information once the preliminary investigation is complete.

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State patrol releases ID of teen killed in Benton County crash

Staff reports — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 22:49:55 GMT

BENTON COUNTY, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol has released the names of those involved in a fatal crash Friday, Aug. 11, in Benton County.

Nurban Ruvelsi-Perez, 17, of Minnesota, was killed in the incident, according to a State Patrol report update Tuesday, Aug. 15.

The crash occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Friday on Highway 10 between Rice and Sauk Rapids.

According to the report, a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, driven by Aler Lisandro Gomez-Lucas, 27, of Minnesota, was eastbound on Highway 10 when the Nissan left the roadway, went into a ditch, and rolled, coming to rest on its roof.

Ruvelsi-Perez was a passenger in the Nissan. He was ejected from the vehicle and was struck by a 2017 GMC Sierra, driven by Myles Jeremy Wochnick, 20, of Royalton, according to the report.

Ruvelsi-Perez was killed, according to the report.

Gomez-Lucas suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital. The State Patrol said alcohol use is suspected for the driver of the Nissan.

A second 17-year-old male passenger in the Nissan was not injured.

Wochnick was not injured, and alcohol use is not suspected, according to the report.

It is unknown if any of the drivers or passengers were wearing safety belts, according to the report.

The state patrol asks anyone who witnessed the incident or has information, or “thinks they may have struck the person in the roadway,” to call 507-285-7410.

The incident remains under investigation.

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State Patrol looking for information in fatal Benton County crash

St. Cloud LIVE staff reports — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 14:39:35 GMT

BENTON COUNTY, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol is looking for information or witnesses to a fatal crash Friday, Aug. 11, in Benton County.

The crash occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Friday on Highway 10 between Rice and Sauk Rapids, according to a State Patrol report.

According to the report, a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, driven by a 27-year-old Minnesota man, was eastbound on Highway 10 when the SUV left the roadway, went into a ditch, and rolled, coming to rest on its roof.

An occupant in the Pathfinder was ejected and was struck by a 2017 GMC Sierra, driven by a 20-year-old Royalton man. The passenger later died, according to the report.

The driver of the Nissan was taken by ambulance to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. State Patrol said alcohol use is suspected for the driver of the Nissan.

A 17-year-old male occupant in the Nissan was not injured.

The driver of the GMC was not injured, and alcohol use is not suspected, according to the report.

The identities of the drivers, passengers or victim were not released in the report. The State Patrol said more information will be released at noon Monday, Aug. 14.

The State Patrol asks anyone who witnessed the incident, has information, or “thinks they may have struck the person in the roadway,” to call 507-285-7410.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Pedestrian struck and killed in Sauk Rapids crash Friday night

Staff reports — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 17:52:06 GMT

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. — A pedestrian was struck and killed Friday, July 28, near the intersection of Benton Drive North and Eighth Street North in Sauk Rapids.

The victim's name was not released in the media report from the Sauk Rapids Police Department.

The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Jordan Nies, 25, of Sartell, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the report.

Police responded to the scene of the crash at 10:55 p.m. Friday, according to the release. The pedestrian was given medical aid by police personnel and taken to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital by Mayo Ambulance, where they were pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m.

Nies was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. A blood sample was obtained via search warrant, and Nies was taken to the Benton County Jail, the report said.

The investigation is ongoing.

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