Fergus Falls Jail Books Michelle Gieseke on Drug Charge

Fergus Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Michelle Christine Gieseke, 44, was booked into the Otter Tail County Jail on September 9, 2026.

The county custody list shows Gieseke’s charge as active.

The roster classifies the listed offense as a felony.

The charge is fifth-degree controlled substance possession under Minnesota Statute 152.025, subdivision 2(a)(1).

The public custody record does not identify the specific controlled substance allegedly involved.

Fifth-Degree Drug Charge

Minnesota Statute 152.025 covers fifth-degree controlled substance crimes.

The possession provision applies to certain Schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substances.

Current law excludes cannabis flower and several cannabis and hemp products from this provision.

The current statute also contains language concerning residual amounts found in drug paraphernalia.

The Otter Tail County roster uses shortened wording to describe Gieseke’s listed offense.

That shorthand references Schedule I through IV substances and drug paraphernalia residue.

The current statutory wording differs from the shortened description shown on the jail roster.

The available custody record does not explain that difference.

It also does not provide the alleged drug amount or laboratory results.

The county custody list labels Gieseke’s charge as a felony.

Current Minnesota law provides different penalties depending on the facts of a fifth-degree possession case.

Certain qualifying first offenses involving very small amounts are gross misdemeanors.

Other fifth-degree possession convictions can carry up to five years in prison.

A fine of up to $10,000 can also apply.

The roster does not provide enough detail to determine why Gieseke’s entry is classified as a felony.

Those maximum penalties do not predict the outcome of her case.

The Otter Tail County Jail is located at 416 South Mill Street in Fergus Falls.

Official jail information is available through the Otter Tail County Jail website.

The county also publishes an online in-custody list.

The supplied entry does not show a detailed criminal complaint or probable cause statement.

No police officer names are included in this report.

A jail booking does not establish guilt.

The charge remains an allegation unless proven through the court process.

Gieseke is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.