Detroit Lakes Case Ends With Drug Court Sentence

DETROIT LAKES (trfnews.i234.me) — Deanna Lynn Keezer, 44, of Bemidji, has been sentenced for felony theft by swindle.

The sentence was issued in Becker County District Court on May 7.

Keezer received a 21-month prison sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee.

The court stayed that prison term for five years.

The departure from sentencing guidelines was partly tied to her agreement to enter Drug Court.

Fake Bills Reported at Walmart

Court records say the case began at Walmart in Detroit Lakes on July 22, 2024.

A store register was short $500 after five fake $100 bills were found in its till.

The bills carried the words “For Motion Picture Purposes.”

However, the bills otherwise looked similar to real currency.

Store video reportedly showed the customer involved in the transactions.

Investigators identified Keezer through tattoos seen in earlier jail booking photographs.

Dollar Tree on Highway 10 reported five similar $100 bills the following day.

Those bills also displayed the words “For Motion Picture Purposes.”

A witness later identified Keezer from a photo lineup, according to court records.

The records also noted a 2021 felony conviction for receiving stolen property.

Minnesota law includes obtaining property through a trick or deceptive method as theft by swindle.

Keezer was convicted of felony theft by swindle in the current case.

The available summary does not identify the exact charge subdivision.

It also does not state whether the store losses were combined for sentencing purposes.

Keezer was ordered to serve 14 days in jail.

She received credit for all 14 days already served.

The court imposed a $500 fine and $160 in court fees.

Keezer must also pay $500 in restitution.

The stayed sentence places Keezer on supervised probation for five years.

Keezer may not possess or use alcohol or illegal drugs.

She must complete a full chemical-use assessment.

She must also follow all treatment and aftercare recommendations.

The court ordered cognitive skills training and other behavioral programming.

Keezer must enter and successfully complete the Clay-Becker Drug Court program.

The program combines treatment, regular testing, supervision, and court check-ins.

Failure to follow probation could place the stayed prison sentence at risk.

The Becker County District Court is located in Detroit Lakes.

Public records may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.