Arvilla man says Grand Forks County explosive possession is 'a giant misunderstanding'
"I believe the whole thing is being grossly mischaracterized," Christopher Ryan Ringsrud-Knowels said, addressing Judge Don Hager remotely from the Grand Forks County Correctional Center. "... I'm completely stupefied with how it even got this far."
Ringsrud-Knowels, 42, said what law enforcement has characterized as a "homemade explosive device" was actually a smoke bomb used to kill gophers.
He and his codefendant, 41-year-old Gabriel Patrick Messmer, of Fargo, are charged with Class C felony possession of explosives, which has a maximum five-year sentence.
At 8:41 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper observed a vehicle traveling on I-29 with reflective tint on the front windows, according to a declaration of probable cause filed in the cases. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, identifying Messmer as the driver and Ringsrud-Knowels as the passenger.
He alleged Ringsrud-Knowels was immediately apprehensive, appearing to be very nervous and irritated by the interaction with law enforcement.
While speaking with Messmer, the trooper said he seemed nervous, restless and standoffish. He claimed to have taken Ringsrud-Knowels to Grafton to see his father, and said they were on their way back to Fargo.
The trooper requested a K-9 on scene to do an open-air sniff of the vehicle, during which there was a positive hit, according to the declaration. Ringsrud-Knowels allegedly admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle.
During a vehicle search, law enforcement found "a cylindrical device wrapped in electrical tape with an exposed fuse coming out of the top," the declaration said. Ringsrud-Knowels allegedly said the device was a smoke bomb.
Law enforcement believed it was a homemade explosive device, and contacted the local bomb squad. Upon arrival, the bomb squad positively identified the device as an explosive and successfully detonated it.
During Ringsrud-Knowels' hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Emerson Solemsaas requested a $100,000 L bond, which means a defendant has to either pay the total in cash or go through a bail bondsman with sufficient proof that the entirety could be paid if necessary.
Solemsaas explained the reasons for the high bond request were concerns about public safety, the nature and severity of the crime as well as the uncertainty about where the defendants were headed with the explosive. In Messmer's hearing, his attorney, Nick Roller, argued it was known where the two men were heading — back to Fargo.
Solemsaas also said Ringsrud-Knowels had no difficulty paying substantial bonds in his other open North Dakota and Minnesota cases, including
an ongoing methamphetamine case in Grand Forks County.
Ringsrud-Knowels made his argument about the allegations at hand, and also said $1,400 was wrongfully seized from him during his arrest. He said he could prove the money came from legitimate means.
Hager set Ringsrud-Knowels' bond at $50,000 cash or surety.
The prosecution requested the same bond in Messmer's case, with largely the same reasoning. Roller said his client was giving Ringsrud-Knowels a ride as a favor because Ringsrud-Knowels could not drive. Roller said the car's owner and Ringsrud-Knowels took responsibility for the explosive.
He also said Messmer has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and requires extensive medical care and medication. Roller asked for a personal recognizance (PR) bond, which means the defendant doesn't have to pay anything unless they fail to appear for court or violate other release conditions. He said his client is unable to work.
Hager set Messmer's bond at $10,000 cash or surety.
Ringsrud-Knowels and Messmer will return to court for preliminary hearings and/or arraignments at 9 a.m. July 21.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
Owner of boat where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died once sued for allegedly biting FDNY firefighter on 20th anniversary of 9/11
The owner of the Montauk-docked boat where designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died was once sued for allegedly biting a retired FDNY firefighter on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at a Manhattan concert. Former smoke-eater Michael Balfe, a Ground Zero first responder, claimed he was attacked by Christopher Durnan, 60, during a show at Webster Hall on Sept. 11, 2021, according to a civil suit he filed the following year. The lawsuit alleges Durnan 'bit and assaulted' Balfe in an unprovoked attack. Balfe 'sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind,' the since-settled suit alleged. 3 Christopher Durnan, 60, the last person to see Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra alive was once sued for biting a 9/11 FDNY first responder in an unprovoked attack at Webster Hall. Obtained by the NY Post Durnan had rejected any wrongdoing, arguing Balfe initiated the fight and that his 'use of force was reasonable under the circumstances' according to court papers. Durnan was criminally charged after the incident with assault with intent to cause physical injury, recklessly cause physical injury, possession of a controlled substance, attempted assault in the third degree, and harassment, according to court records. He ultimately pled guilty to a disorderly conduct charge. The civil suit was settled in December 2023, records show. 3 Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died on Aug. 5 onboard boat The Ripple which is owned by Chris Durnan and docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on Aug. 5. Facebook / Martha Nolan 'Out of respect for the family of the woman who tragically passed away and Mr. Balfe's own family, Michael will not be making a comment on the prior case involving Christoher Durnan,' the former firefighter's lawyer, Darren Moore, told The Post. Moore emphasized that his client didn't pay any party when the lawsuit was settled. Durnan, an insurance mogul with a plush pad in Montauk and another home in Long Beach, owns the boat The Ripple, where Nolan-O'Slatarra was found dead on Aug. 5, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. A lawyer for Nolan-O'Slatarra's family revealed that homicide detectives are 'questioning' individuals in relation to the tragic death of the chic East End entrepreneur. 'They want more details,' Aidala told The Post. 'The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.' 3 Records show Durnan owns both The Ripple and the boat next to it named Hell In A Bucket. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post 'They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening,' Aidala continued. 'Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?' Durnan could not be reached for comment.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Teen Spent 11 Days in Coma. When He Woke Up, He Used Sign Language to Tell His Mom an Important Message (Exclusive)
'We are very grateful for his progress and pleased we are finally moving in the right direction,' Stephanie Neely tells PEOPLE of her son's condition since surviving three days without food or water NEED TO KNOW Dakota 'Cody' Trenkle Jr., 13, was missing for three days until he was found at the bottom of a ravine on Wednesday, July 30 He was then airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma On Wednesday, Aug. 13, his mother, Stephanie Neely, tells PEOPLE that despite Dakota still being at the start of the recovery process, his family is "very grateful for his progress" Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr., the 13-year-old boy who was missing for over three days before he was found at the bottom of a ravine, has woken up from an 11-day medically induced coma, his mother, Stephanie Neely, tells PEOPLE. "[It took] 11 long days after being missing for 80 hours' for her 'to have hope that Cody was going to be okay," Neely says. Dakota went missing on Sunday, July 27, after he was last seen skateboarding in Goose Creek Lake, Mo. The young teen went more than three days without food or water. On Wednesday, July 30, his brother discovered Dakota's skateboard a half a mile from their home. Later that day, the Farmington Correctional Center (FCC) K-9 unit deployed their bloodhound named Darrell, who found Dakota lying in a foot of water. Dakota was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma with a brain bleed, his mom previously told PEOPLE. He suffered deep wounds to his body, as well as severe head trauma, several brain bleeds, an additional fracture on his skull, weakened kidneys and needed a ventilator to breathe. After nearly two weeks of Stephanie waiting by his bedside, Dakota was alert and there were signs of him waking up on Friday, Aug. 8, per the Facebook group dedicated to providing updates, titled "Dakota Strong." By Saturday, Aug. 9, Stephanie tells PEOPLE that he was alert enough to share his affection by signing the American Sign Language gesture for 'I love you.' 'That moment was pivotal to me. It's made the last couple weeks of stress, heartache, hope, gratitude, sadness, and pain worth it because that small gesture meant my boy was coming back to me,' she says. He was off the ventilator by Sunday, Aug. 10. 'He is doing so well!!' a post on the Facebook page read. 'We still have a long recovery road ahead, but this is huge progress!!!!!!' On Monday, Aug. 11, Dakota enjoyed his first meal: a burger and a Coke. 'When Cody was being weened off sedation, off the ventilator, and became more alert, he looked at me and said 'Mama, I'm thirsty, I need a 16 ounce coke from McDonald's!' ' Neely says. 'The next day, I had ordered him a Whopper from Burger King in hopes to get him to eat." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After Cody woke up, he 'was still on sedation for a few days to help ease him out of the coma,' Neely explains to PEOPLE. She notes as of Wednesday, Aug. 13, he is no longer on sedation, so the 'last 24 hours have been very difficult for him pain-wise.' 'He can't walk due to injuries and also loss of muscle mass during his time in the coma,' she says. 'He is struggling to talk for long periods of time out of pure exhaustion, the pneumonia, and his other infections he is fighting.' Neely previously told NBC affiliate KSDK that the water caused him to contract "a lot of infectious bacteria," which led him to develop pneumonia. Additionally, because he fell into the 240-foot deep ravine, he also suffered severe wounds on his back because he was submerged for so long. 'His brain injuries are still very prominent, and are being monitored very closely,' Neely tells PEOPLE. She notes that he will be transferred to a pediatric hospital inpatient unit that specializes in physical, occupational, and psychological therapies. 'We are very grateful for his progress and pleased we are finally moving in the right direction,' she adds. "I've known he was a fighter since he was born," Neely told KSDK. "He was born super preemie, and he fought for his life then, and now, almost 14 years later, he's doing it again." "Just proving to all of us just truly how strong he is, how resilient, and how stubborn he is, which is honestly what saved his life," Neely told KSDK. "He wasn't going to give up. And he's like, 'I'm not just gonna lay here and die.' For him to finally come out of it two weeks after he went missing is huge. He's still proving to everyone, 'I'm fighting, I'm still here, I can survive.' " Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Police chief's toddler killed by K-9 named Draco in backyard
A police chief's 3-year-old daughter has died after she was attacked by a law enforcement K-9 named Draco at the family's home, authorities in Colorado said. The child was found unresponsive in the yard of the house, the Kit Carson County Sheriff's Office said. Officials haven't said what may have led up to the attack and said the incident is still under investigation. Advertisement The girl, who has not been publicly identified, is the daughter of Burlington Police Chief Nathan Hill, who was not home at the time of the attack, authorities have confirmed. 'We our deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred within the city limits of Burlington, CO. Our hearts go out to Chief Nate Hill, his wife and family for the loss of their little girl, who was victim of a dog attack,' Burlington Police Department said. Retired K-9 Draco was euthanized after killing a police chief's 3-year-old daughter. KENS5 Emergency medical personnel rushed the child to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Advertisement The German Shepherd was taken to the Burlington dog pound and euthanized, police said. Draco had been a single-purpose narcotics detection K-9 for the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office, but was non-active at the time of the deadly attack, Kit Carson Sheriff Travis Beldon said. The girl is the daughter of Burlington, Colorado Police Chief Nathan Hill. Burlington PD/FaceBook Advertisement 'He's trained for detection. He's not in any way trained for patrol work, apprehension, anything that would involve biting… So it is very uncharacteristic for him to attack in this fashion,' he told KENS5. The dog was used as recently as June 19 for a traffic stop to detect controlled substances, according to a Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office press statement. He had recently been retired from duty after Cheyenne County discontinued its K-9 program, and was donated to the Burlington Police Department. Hill was keeping the dog at his home at the time of the attack, police said.
