Moorhead: Gilbertson Charged in Underage Beer Sale

MOORHEAD, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Edwin Neal Gilbertson faces a gross misdemeanor charge following an alcohol compliance check in Moorhead.

The charge was filed in Clay County District Court under case number 14-CR-26-2564.

Gilbertson, 57, is accused of selling alcohol to a person under 21.

The alleged sale happened May 6, 2026, according to the criminal complaint.

Compliance Check Conducted at Moorhead Store

The complaint says Moorhead police conducted alcohol compliance checks at licensed businesses.

Two adult buyers under age 21 assisted officers during the checks.

The buyers entered the Oasis convenience store at 209 Wall Street Northwest.

They selected a six-pack of Coors Light and brought it to the checkout counter.

Gilbertson was working as the cashier, according to prosecutors.

The complaint says Gilbertson asked one buyer for identification.

The buyer provided a driver’s license containing the person’s date of birth.

Prosecutors allege Gilbertson reviewed the identification but did not notice the buyer was under 21.

He then allegedly completed the beer sale.

No police officer names are included in this report.

Prosecutors charged Gilbertson under Minnesota Statute 340A.503, subdivision 2(1).

The law prohibits selling, bartering, furnishing, or giving alcohol to a person under 21.

The complaint also references Minnesota Statute 340A.702.

That law classifies the cited violation as a gross misdemeanor.

A conviction can carry up to 364 days in jail.

A fine of up to $3,000 is also possible.

Those are maximum penalties and do not represent a sentence against Gilbertson.

Minnesota law also provides a defense involving reasonable and good-faith reliance on valid identification.

Whether that defense applies would depend on evidence presented in the case.

The complaint does not establish guilt or determine the final outcome.

The criminal complaint contains an allegation that has not been proven in court.

Gilbertson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Public case information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The court complaint was filed by summons rather than an order of detention.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.