Fergus Falls Man Faces 3 Witness Tampering Charges

Fergus Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fergus Falls man faces three witness tampering charges in Otter Tail County.

Michael Gene Johnson, 55, was charged after an investigation involving a disputed Ford F-150 Raptor.

The criminal complaint says the case began with a reported vehicle theft in Bloomington.

Dispute Over Ford Raptor

A man identified as M.A.T. told police he let Jennifer Vold borrow his 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor.

He later reported the truck missing and said he never sold it to Vold.

Court records say the truck’s title was later transferred into Vold’s name.

Investigators reviewed title records and compared signatures tied to the transfer.

The complaint says the signatures raised concerns about whether the transfer was valid.

Investigators later found the Raptor listed for resale at a Fergus Falls dealership.

The complaint says Vold traded the Raptor for another Ford F-150 and a $10,000 check.

The dealership valued the Raptor at $42,000, according to the complaint.

Court records say Johnson posted bail one day after the dealership issued the check.

Investigators later obtained a search warrant connected to the vehicle investigation.

On June 16, police contacted Johnson and Vold at the Fergus Falls dealership.

Vold was arrested, and officers took possession of the newer Ford F-150, according to the complaint.

Investigators also searched a Fergus Falls residence connected to Johnson and Vold.

The complaint says officers found vehicle documents, a license plate, and another truck key.

Later that day, M.A.T. reported receiving a threatening phone call from Johnson.

The complaint alleges Johnson threatened to fabricate charges unless M.A.T. helped get Vold released.

Johnson also allegedly offered to replace the truck and provide money owed to M.A.T.

Phone records later showed an outgoing call to M.A.T. at 1:59 p.m., prosecutors allege.

Investigators say the number was tied to Johnson’s account and Fergus Falls address.

Johnson faces one gross misdemeanor count of second-degree witness tampering.

That charge carries up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

He also faces two misdemeanor counts of third-degree witness tampering.

Each misdemeanor carries up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

One count alleges an attempt to prevent testimony through intimidation.

The other alleges an attempt to influence a witness to give false testimony.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 609.498 for the state’s witness tampering law.

More court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The allegations are accusations and have not been proven in court.

Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.