Detroit Lakes Man Gets Jail in Sex Conduct Case

DETROIT LAKES (trfnews.i234.me) — Matthew Carl Burton Oftelie, 41, has been sentenced in Becker County District Court.

Oftelie was convicted of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor. The conviction followed a plea agreement.

A felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge was dismissed. A gross misdemeanor alcohol charge was also dismissed.

Report Began After Midnight

According to court records, police responded to a Detroit Lakes home shortly after midnight on April 30, 2024.

An officer met with a girl under 15 and her parents. The girl said Oftelie bought alcohol for her.

She said he delivered the alcohol during the previous evening. She later became sick after drinking some of it.

The girl contacted Oftelie, and he returned to help clean the home. Court records say he rubbed her feet and legs.

Records also state he slapped her buttocks and made a sexual comment. The girl entered the bathroom and contacted her mother.

She later returned to her bedroom. The girl said Oftelie asked whether she had reported him.

He then left the home and took the remaining alcohol with him.

The responding officer found empty alcohol bottles in the garbage. The girl provided a preliminary breath test sample of 0.08.

Investigators later obtained video showing Oftelie buying alcohol on April 29, 2024, according to court records.

During a May 10 interview, Oftelie confirmed he had visited the home. He said he was checking on a family member.

He initially denied buying alcohol for the girl. He also denied touching her.

During a later county interview, he admitted rubbing the girl’s feet and legs. He also admitted to making a sexual comment.

Judge Gretchen Thilmony sentenced Oftelie to 364 days in the Becker County Jail. The judge stayed 304 days for four years.

Oftelie must serve 60 days, with credit for one day already served. He was fined $500.

He must also pay $85 in court fees. The court barred him from alcohol and illegal drug use.

Oftelie must register as a predatory offender. He must complete treatment and programming ordered by probation.

He must also complete cognitive skills and behavioral programs. He may not contact the victim without authorized approval.

Oftelie may not have unsupervised contact with anyone under age 18. Such contact requires approval from his probation officer.

He will remain on supervised probation for four years.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.