Detroit Lakes Bad Check Case Ends With Jail Term

Detroit Lakes (trfnews.i234.me) — A New Hampshire woman has been sentenced in Becker County District Court.

Shawna Lynn Mildred Altepeter, 27, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was sentenced for felony writing a dishonored check.

A second dishonored check charge was dismissed under a plea agreement.

Vehicle Purchase Led To Court Case

According to court records, the case began after a report to the Detroit Lakes Police Department.

The report involved a bad check issued for a vehicle purchase at Webber Family Motors.

Records say the vehicle was a 2018 Jeep Cherokee.

Altepeter bought the Jeep on July 21, 2023, in Detroit Lakes.

She gave Webber Family Motors a check for $23,788.50.

The check was later returned for insufficient funds.

Authorities said a second check was issued on Aug. 22, 2023.

That check also bounced, according to the criminal complaint.

Payment Demand Sent

A demand for payment was sent on Sept. 20, 2023.

No further payments were received after that date.

Court records say Altepeter spoke with an investigator on Dec. 5, 2023.

She said she knew the first check would not clear.

She said she was about $1,000 short at the time.

She also said she planned to get a loan for the balance.

However, she said she was still trying to work that out.

Sentence In Becker County

On April 7, District Judge Michelle W. Lawson stayed imposition of the sentence.

If Altepeter completes probation, the conviction will become a misdemeanor.

She was ordered to serve 30 days in jail.

She received credit for 11 days already served.

The rest of the jail time may be served on electronic home monitoring.

That monitoring must be paid for at her own expense.

Altepeter was fined $100 and must pay $75 in court fees.

She was also ordered to pay $23,963 in restitution.

The court also ordered her to complete cognitive skills training.

She must follow cognitive behavioral programming as directed.

She must continue mental health counseling as scheduled.

She must also take all prescribed medications.

More information about Minnesota courts is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.