Grand Forks Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Sales and Other Offenses

POLK COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Miranda Marie Slebodnik, 32, faced a pivotal moment in her legal battle as she pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including controlled substance sales, during a court appearance on Friday morning, April 12, in Polk County.

Slebodnik, appearing remotely from the Pennington County Jail, entered guilty pleas in three separate cases, marking a significant development in her ongoing legal saga.

Law enforcement’s scrutiny of Slebodnik began following an encounter at a Grand Forks hotel, where she was discovered smoking a fentanyl pill, as outlined in a probable cause statement filed in the case.

In a subsequent incident in July 2023, Slebodnik was arrested for driving under the influence in East Grand Forks. During the traffic stop, authorities discovered forty-five suspected fentanyl pills in her possession, along with methamphetamine, paraphernalia, and three phones in her vehicle. Slebodnik admitted to law enforcement that she regularly traveled to Fargo to purchase large quantities of fentanyl pills, which she then sold for $20 each.

Another troubling incident occurred later that month when Slebodnik was suspected of driving impaired with her child in the vehicle. Sixteen fentanyl pills were found in her possession during this traffic stop, accompanied by drug paraphernalia.

Slebodnik’s legal woes were further compounded when she was furloughed from custody and failed to return as scheduled.

During Friday’s court proceedings, Slebodnik pleaded guilty to three felonies: second-degree narcotics sale in a school or park zone, third-degree controlled substance sale, and escape from custody. Additionally, she pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor third-degree and misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired.

A proposed plea agreement suggests a 48-month prison sentence for Slebodnik, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 2.

As Slebodnik’s legal journey unfolds, the community awaits the outcome of her sentencing, with implications for both her future and efforts to combat drug-related crime.