Fergus Falls Inmate Charged in $840 Jail Damage

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Adam Roger Gronseth faces a gross misdemeanor property damage charge in Otter Tail County.

The charge follows an alleged incident inside the Otter Tail County Detention Center.

A criminal complaint says Gronseth was an inmate when jail property was damaged.

Jail Machine Allegedly Struck With Brush

Authorities responded to the detention center around 12:57 p.m. on January 11, 2026.

A correctional officer reported hearing a loud banging sound inside a living unit.

The officer then saw Gronseth strike a TurnKey machine with a long shower brush, according to the complaint.

The machine is used by inmates to transfer or manage funds.

Investigators later reviewed surveillance video from the detention center.

The complaint says the video showed Gronseth holding a long white scrub brush.

He allegedly struck the front of the TurnKey machine with the brush.

The impact shattered the glass screen on the front of the machine, according to prosecutors.

Officials estimated the repair cost at $839.95.

Prosecutors charged Gronseth with third-degree criminal damage to property.

Minnesota law covers intentional damage to another person’s property without consent when losses fall within certain amounts.

For damage exceeding $500 but not $1,000, the offense can be charged as a gross misdemeanor.

The current statute provides a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail.

It also allows a fine of up to $3,000, or both.

The criminal complaint itself lists a 354-day maximum sentence.

That differs from the current text of Minnesota Statute 609.595.

The filing also contains a separate date discrepancy.

The listed offense date is January 11, 2026.

However, the charge description says the alleged damage occurred on November 29, 2025.

The probable cause section describes the incident as occurring on January 11, 2026.

The complaint does not explain the different dates.

The probable cause narrative also describes damage to the TurnKey machine rather than broken building windows.

Public case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charge is an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Gronseth is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.