New York Mills (trfnews.i234.me) — Joshua Steven Bernu, 35, of rural New York Mills has been sentenced in Otter Tail County.
Bernu was sentenced for felony second-degree drug sales involving methamphetamine. The case involved an August 2025 controlled drug purchase in Otter Tail County.
A gross misdemeanor child-endangerment charge was dismissed under a plea agreement. That charge alleged drugs were sold while children were inside the home.
Controlled Meth Purchase
Court records say a confidential informant contacted law enforcement on Aug. 4, 2025. The informant reported an arranged purchase of about half an ounce of methamphetamine from Bernu.
The agreed price was $350, according to court documents. The purchase was planned at Bernu’s rural New York Mills residence near County Highway 76.
Before the purchase, investigators met with the confidential informant. Court records say the informant identified Bernu from a photograph.
Investigators also reviewed text messages connected to the planned transaction. The informant received pre-recorded money and a recording device before leaving.
Authorities tracked the informant’s movements to the residence. Court documents say children could be heard when the informant entered and left.
The informant later reported the drug transaction happened downstairs. The children reportedly remained upstairs during the transaction.
Substance Tested Positive
Afterward, the informant met again with law enforcement. Investigators collected the suspected methamphetamine and the recording equipment.
The substance was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing. Court records say testing confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.
The substance weighed just under 14 grams, according to the court filing. Minnesota court information is available through the Otter Tail County District Court website.
58-Month Sentence Stayed
Bernu appeared before Otter Tail County District Judge Johnathan Judd on Sept. 14. The judge imposed a 58-month state prison sentence.
That prison sentence was stayed for five years. Bernu must follow conditions ordered by the court during that period.
Those conditions include five years of supervised probation. He must also follow state and federal laws and probation instructions.
Bernu was also sentenced to 12 days in the Otter Tail County Jail. He received credit for two days already served.
The court allowed the remaining 10 days through electronic home monitoring. Bernu must pay the cost of that monitoring.
He was also ordered to pay $135 in fines and court fees. Additional information is available through the Otter Tail County website.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
