Karlstad: Man Faces Felony Over $548 in Bad Checks

KARLSTAD, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 50-year-old Chanhassen man faces a felony charge after two checks were returned unpaid to a Karlstad business.

Damon Roy Anderson is accused of issuing two dishonored checks totaling $548.80 to Karlstad Korner.

According to a Kittson County criminal complaint, both checks were issued September 27, 2025.

Prosecutors allege Anderson issued the checks while intending that they would not be paid.

Two Checks Returned for Insufficient Funds

The Kittson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the checks after they were returned to the business.

According to court documents, both checks were written to KK, also known as Karlstad Korner.

The first check, numbered 8049, was issued for $410.

The second check, numbered 8053, was issued for $138.80.

Both checks were dated September 27, 2025.

The complaint states the checks were drawn on a Discover Money Market account associated with Salt Lake City, Utah.

Both were returned marked NSF, meaning insufficient funds.

The business subsequently turned the checks over to the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Office Attempts to Collect Payment

Investigators began efforts to collect payment before pursuing criminal prosecution.

According to the complaint, the sheriff’s office mailed Anderson a formal payment demand on February 2, 2026.

The notice was sent to the address listed on the checks.

However, the United States Postal Service returned the letter on February 11.

The returned mail indicated that the address number could not be located and forwarding was unavailable.

The complaint does not establish that Anderson personally received the notice.

Unpaid Checks and Additional Fees

According to prosecutors, the two dishonored checks totaled $548.80.

The complaint also describes additional fees associated with prosecuting dishonored checks.

Under the cited provisions, a $30 charge was added for each check.

Those fees totaled $60.

The complaint therefore lists $608.80 in combined check amounts and additional charges.

The document does not establish whether any portion of that amount has since been paid.

Why the Checks Were Combined Into One Case

Prosecutors cite Minnesota law allowing certain dishonored checks issued within six months to be combined.

Both checks in this case were issued on the same day.

The complaint states that their combined value forms the basis of the prosecution.

Although the unpaid amount was $548.80, the criminal complaint classifies the allegation as a felony.

The charge concerns the alleged intent behind issuing the checks, not merely their return for insufficient funds.

The allegation of criminal intent has not been proven in court.

Felony Dishonored Check Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Anderson with issuing dishonored checks under Minnesota Statute 609.535.

The offense is listed as a felony in the criminal complaint.

A conviction could result in up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Those penalties represent the maximum punishment listed in the complaint, not a sentence imposed by the court.

Readers can review Minnesota’s dishonored check statute for additional information.

Kittson County Court Proceedings

The criminal case is filed in Kittson County District Court within Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The court file number is 35-CR-26-23.

The prosecutor’s file number is 26000015.

The complaint was issued with a warrant, but the supplied document does not establish its current status.

No final court outcome or sentencing information was provided.

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

The charge remains an allegation. Anderson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.