On January 23, 2017, Ryan Robert Rechtzigel, 37, and Angela Lynn Stewart, 32, both of Ostrander, appeared in Fillmore County Court. Each faced eight felony charges relating to a well-publicized November 17, 2016 incident notably involving methamphetamine possession around a child and multiple child abuses. Each pleaded guilty to Third Degree Assault, Past Pattern of Child Abuse, Aid and Abet, felony charges stemming from an incident that occurred earlier in 2016. The eight felonies pertaining directly to the November 17 incident were dismissed. The couple was sentenced on March 27. Stewart received a 220 day jail sentence, Rechtzigel 210 (some of which has already been served). Each is to pay a $1,000 fine and fees totaling $1,165. Each has a 21-month stayed sentence at Minnesota Correctional Facilities (Rechtzigel at St. Cloud, Stewart at Shakopee) hanging over their heads for five years, or the duration of probation. The conditions of said five-year probation include; Cannot register to vote, or vote, until discharged from probation and civil rights are fully restored, Chemical dependency evaluation and treatment (defendants to enter into long-term inpatient chemical dependency treatment at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge – successfully complete and follow all recommended aftercare), No contact with victim (directly, indirectly or by third-party contact – defendants will have no care, custody, or control of children under the age of 18), No contact with co-defendant until both have successfully completed the treatment program, Sign Probation Agreement, Follow all instructions of probation, Follow all Conditions set forth in the Probation Agreement, Contact probation officer as directed, Sign releases of information as directed, Remain law-abiding, No same or similar, Educational assessment/program, Aftercare, Complete treatment, No alcohol/controlled substance use, No possession of alcohol or drugs, No mood-altering chemicals, Do not enter bars or liquor stores, Submit to Chemical Testing, Cooperate with the search of person, residence, vehicle, workplace, property, and things as directed by probation officer, Cognitive skill training, Individual Therapy (which may include Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Take medications in the prescribed dosage and frequency, Maintain employment and residence, No assault, aggressive, threatening, and intimidating behavior, No contact with persons associated with illegal drugs (defendants will have no contact with known felons unless granted permission in advance by court services), Follow all state and federal criminal laws, Tell probation officer within 72 hours if have contact with law enforcement, if charged with any new crime, and/or if change address, employment, or telephone number, Give a DNA sample when directed, Do not use or possess firearms, ammunition, or explosives, Restitution reserved for five years, Pay restitution before fines, fees and surcharges.
Ostrander child abuse update
