Deputy accused of burglary bails out

CROOKSTON, Minn. — A Walsh County, N.D., sheriff’s deputy was released Friday after posting bail following an arrest on charges of burglary and damage to property in Crookston.

Adam Koenig, 22, of Park River, N.D., made his initial appearance in court Friday morning and was released on $500 bail. His pre-trial appearance will be Jan. 14 in Polk County court.

Koenig was hired by the sheriff’s department in September, according to county records. Walsh County Sheriff Lauren Wild did not respond to requests for comment.

Under state law, if Koenig is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to the charges, he could have his peace officer license suspended or revoked.

Koenig would appear before the North Dakota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board for a hearing, and the board would make the final decision on his license, said Joe Belford, a POST board member.

Crookston police arrested Koenig early Thursday morning inside a Holiday gas station. Officers found one of the station’s glass doors smashed in and Koenig lying on the floor behind the counter with multiple injuries to his face.

Koenig was wearing a badge on his belt and identified himself as a Walsh County sheriff’s deputy.

Other than a traffic violation, Koenig has no criminal record. He is a 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota-Crookston, where he studied criminal justice.

Tags: news, crime, court