Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Detroit Lakes man is facing felony charges after a Becker County court complaint alleged a forged check scheme involving a tree service business account.
Dustin James Differding, 38, of Detroit Lakes, has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony theft by swindle and felony check forgery.
The case is filed in Minnesota’s 7th Judicial District under court file number 03-CR-26-603.
According to the complaint, the alleged offenses happened between September 2025 and November 2025 in Becker County and nearby areas.
Complaint Alleges Forged Business Checks
The complaint states the owner of a tree service business reported several thousand dollars in fraudulent checks.
The business owner told investigators that about $18,000 in checks were forged from a business checking account.
The owner said he ordered checkbooks but never received them.
He believed the checks may have been taken from his mailbox or vehicle.
The complaint alleges Differding had lived with the business owner for about five years.
Bars And Bank Deposits Listed
Court documents say checks were allegedly written to several area bars.
Those locations included businesses in Bejou, Winger, Ogema, and Detroit Lakes.
The complaint also describes deposits at United Community Bank locations in Perham and Frazee.
Brandon Wassather is named in the complaint as another worker tied to some deposits.
According to the complaint, Wassather said he believed Differding had permission to write the checks.
He later said some checks were for Differding because Differding lacked identification.
The complaint states Wassather would cash checks and give money to Differding.
Felony Charges Filed
Differding is charged with theft by swindle under Minnesota Statute 609.52.
That charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
It also carries a possible $20,000 fine, or both.
He is also charged with check forgery under Minnesota Statute 609.631.
That charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
It also carries a possible $20,000 fine, or both.
The complaint states the forged checks were used to obtain property or services above $2,500.
The allegations remain accusations at this stage.
Differding is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More Minnesota court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.