On September 14, Dennis A. Hershberger, 56, of Preston, appeared before District Court Judge Carmaine Sturino. Hershberger is charged with five felonies, Assault – Second Degree – Dangerous Weapon, Possess Firearm – Convicted or Adjudicated Delinquent for Crime of Violence, Possess Ammo – Convicted or Adjudicated Delinquent for Crime of Violence, Threats of Violence, and Dangerous Weapons – Intentional Discharge of Firearm That Endangers Safety. The first Dangerous Weapon count carries a maximum criminal penalty of seven years in prison and/or a $14,000 fine, the two Convicted/Adjudicated counts each carry maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine, the Threats of Violence count carries a penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine, and the second Dangerous Weapon count carries a penalty of two years and/or a $5,000 fine. On or about September 12, Fillmore County Sheriff’s officers were dispatched regarding a shooting. A victim alleged that the defendant shot at him in his car. Broken glass was allegedly found on Hershberger’s property that matched where the victim said his car had been shot. Hershberger is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, as he was convicted of Second-Degree Burglary on December 16 in Fillmore County.
On September 16, Jonathan David Rothen, 22 of Preston, appeared before District Court Judge Carol M. Hanks. Rothen is charged with Threats of Violence, a felony with a maximum criminal penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. On or about September 5, a Preston Police officer met with a victim. The defendant allegedly sent multiple threatening texts to the victim.
On September 21, Michael Robert Oslund Jr., 37 of Preston, appeared (by Rule 8) before District Court Judge Jeremy Clinefelter. Oslund is charged with four counts of Disseminate Child Sexual Abuse Material – Minor Under Age of 14, and nine counts of Possess Child Sexual Abuse Material – Minor Under 14. The ‘Disseminate’ offenses each carry maximum criminal penalties of 15 years in prison and or $20,000 fines. The ‘Possess’ charges each carry maximum criminal penalties of 10 years in prison and/or $10,000 fines. On or about June 12 thru July 26, a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension special agent conducted a review of devices collected from the defendant pursuant to a December 5, 2025, search warrant within the city of Preston related to Child Sexual Abuse Material. Of the 11 electronic devices collected, CSAM was allegedly reported on two. Approximately 946 items of CSAM (including videos) were located, all exploitive of minors approximately two to 13 years old.
On September 29, Nickolas Lee Buenger, 30, of Harmony, appeared before District Court Judge Jeremy Clinefelter. Buenger is charged with five felony counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct, First Degree – Penetration or Contact Under 13 – Victim Under 16 – Significant Relationship – Multiple Acts Over Time, First Degree – Penetration or Contact With Person Under 13 – Actor Greater Than 36 months Older, 1st Degree – Penetration – Victim 13 to 15 – Position of Authority, Third Degree – Penetration – Victim 16 to 17 – Actor Greater than 36 months Older – Position of Authority, and Third Degree – Penetration – Significant Relationship – Victim 16 to 17. The First-Degree offenses each carry maximum criminal penalties of 30 years in prison and/or $40,000 fines. The Third-Degree offenses each carry maximum criminal penalties of 15 years and/or $30,000 fines. On or about March 19, a Fillmore County Sheriff’s captain was contacted by Chisago County in regards to a report of sexual abuse. A victim came forward and alleged in detail that she had been sexually assaulted by the defendant most of her childhood (around 50 times), from age nine through 17. Buenger was married to the victim’s mother (and thus was her step-father).
On September 29, Sylvanus A. Hershberger, 37, of Harmony, appeared before District Court Judge Jeremy Clinefelter. Hershberger is charged with Drugs – Fifth Degree – Possess Schedule 1,2,3,4 or Paraphernalia Residue – Not Cannabis/Hemp, a felony with a maximum criminal penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. On or about June 5, a Minnesota State Trooper observed the defendant at the Kwik Trip in Harmony, and knew Hershberger had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. Hershberger was arrested and searched. A baggy with a white, crystal-like substance was discovered. It was field tested for 2.0 grams of methamphetamine.
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