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A 61-year-old North Branch woman awaits sentencing in December,  for a misdemeanor conviction of animal welfare violations.

Carmen Marie Burth was found guilty October 12 of mistreating animals (horses) and depriving them of shelter and food.

North Branch Police investigated in November 2019 based on complaints about the animals’ condition. Multiple horses were rescued and handed over to the animal humane society.  They were under fed and not cared for properly, according to the complaint.

The misdemeanor offense carries a possible $1,000 fine and/or 90 days.  The date for sentencing is Dec 5 before Judge Bridgit Dowdal.
In other court cases:

A male-female mail theft duo have entered guilty pleas in connection with their July arrest and charges alleging they took hundreds of items from mailboxes across the county based on evidence recovered in a search of a motel where the suspects were residing.

Wyoming Police made the initial stop after getting a description of the SUV involved in suspicious activity July 8.  Two peole in the vehicle Alexis Schnacky, 22 of St Paul  and Rafael Castro, 22, of Florida entered guilty pleas October 14 to several felonies each—including mail theft and check forgery.
 
Paper checks that were put in mailboxes for pickup were “washed” by the suspects and the checks were made out to new names. Items in packages were recovered and described by the victims.  

There were 480 envelopes and packages under Lakes Area Police jurisdiction recovered. Wyoming residences lost 72 items and there were 148 pieces recovered from addresses in sheriff’s rural patrol territory. Additionally, authorities recovered mail items from other states.

Judge Dowdal will preside over sentencing December 2.

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