New York Mills, Otter Tail County (trfnews.i234.me) A New York Mills man is charged after a claimed meth sale at his home.
Charges filed
Joshua Steven Bernu, 34, of New York Mills, is charged in Minnesota state court.
He faces felony second-degree drug sale of 10 grams or more.
The charge cites Minnesota Statute 152.022.
He also faces gross misdemeanor child endangerment.
That charge cites Minnesota Statute 609.378.
Bernu is presumed innocent.
Prosecutors must prove the charges in court.
What the complaint alleges
The complaint says investigators used a confidential informant during a controlled buy.
The informant allegedly arranged to buy a half-ounce of meth for $350.
The deal was set for August 4, 2025, at Bernu’s rural residence.
The address area is listed on County Highway 76 near New York Mills.
The complaint says the informant identified Bernu from a photo before the buy.
The informant was given pre-recorded buy money and a recording device.
The complaint says the informant went inside and was led downstairs.
The informant reported hearing children upstairs during the deal.
The complaint says Bernu handed over a prepackaged bag of suspected meth.
The informant reported that Bernu’s wife was in the room during the exchange.
The informant said she was smoking methamphetamine at that time.
The informant also reported that another man was in the room.
Drug test result
After the meeting, the informant gave the substance to investigators, the complaint says.
The package was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.
The lab reported it was methamphetamine and weighed 13.958 grams.
Warrant, filing date, and bail
Court records list the case file date as January 14, 2026.
The offense date listed in the complaint is August 4, 2025.
A warrant was issued for Bernu’s arrest, court documents say.
The warrant was signed by Judge Kevin M. Miller, records show.
After Bernu was arrested, bail was set by Judge Johnathan R. Judd.
The court listed a $1,000 cash option with conditions.
The court also listed a $10,000 non-cash bond option with conditions.
An $80,000 option was listed for release without conditions.
Mandatory conditions include obeying laws and attending all court dates.
You can find general court access details at the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.