Stay of imposition granted for Erhard resident

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Janette Marie Alfstad, 57, of New York Mills, will avoid jail time for a felony conviction of fifth-degree drug possession if she remains law abiding for five years.

She will report to a probation agent for five years and agreed to avoid the use of alcohol, drugs and mood-altering chemicals. The exception is prescribed medications.

The stay agreement was issued in county court, Fergus Falls, on Jan. 31.

Alfstad agreed to cooperate with her probation officer in random searches of her residence, vehicle, property and workplace. She cannot use or possess firearms during the probationary period.

Stay of imposition

for Erhard resident

Brian Todd Gast, 38, of Erhard will avoid jail time for a felony conviction and have his sentence reduced to a misdemeanor if he stays law abiding for five years.

Gast was convicted in 2021 of the felony related to illegal checks. He appeared in county court, Fergus Falls, with an amended court decision issued on Jan. 13, 2022.

Under a general stay order, time in jail is typically hanging over one’s head to incentivize a person to complete probation in order to avoid serving designated time in prison.

Stayed means that the judge has sentenced someone to jail, but has delayed the sentence. If the defendant violates the terms of probation, the original jail sentence is imposed.

Restitution is part of the plea agreement for Gast. He also agreed to cooperate with his probation officer in random searches of his residence, vehicle, property and workplace. 

He cannot use or possess firearms during the probationary period.