CLAY COUNTY ATTORNEY Archives

Two Charged with Smuggling Drugs into Clay County Jail

The charge of conspiracy to distribute narcotics comes with a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

April 15, 2026

Gabriel Ostler,

Clay County CourthouseMOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – Two men are each facing up to twenty years in prison after allegedly being caught smuggling narcotics into the Clay County Jail. Jack Halvorson and Loren Smith stand accused of sneaking suboxone into the jail for sale and distribution amongst fellow inmates. The charging documents state suspicion arose when inmates in Smith’s orbit began…

Macro Photo Of Banknotes Of Money In The Us Currency One Hundred Dollars.

Moorhead business owner faces 24-count complaint for tax fraud and failing to pay taxes

April 14, 2026

TJ Nelson,

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — A Moorhead business owner is accused of tax fraud and failing to pay taxes dating back to 2019. Clay County Attorney’s Office has brought a 24-count complaint against Christine Conrad. She is the owner of Reese & Riley’s Olive Oil and Bistro Bar in Moorhead. Court records show the investigation found Conrad filed false income tax…

Former district judge announces campaign for Clay County attorney

April 2, 2026

KVRR Staff,

Amber Gustafson has announced her run for Clay County Attorney.MOORHEAD — A former district court judge is running to become the next Clay County Attorney. Amber Gustafson stepped down from the bench in 2022 after the death of her husband, West Fargo Police Lieutenant Adam Gustafson. She is an Iraq War veteran who grew up in Moorhead. Gustafson has been…

Charges forwarded for 13-year-old who brought 1,500 fentanyl pills to school

January 21, 2026

KVRR Staff,

Fentanyl seized by police at Horizon Middle School, Moorhead, Minn.MOORHEAD (KVRR/KFGO) – The teen arrested after police say he brought 1,500 fentanyl pills to Horizon Middle School in Moorhead has been referred to the Clay County Attorney for juvenile charges. Police and the Moorhead Area Public School District say another student told the school resource officer after discovering the 13-year-old…

17-year-old Moorhead High School student faces charges for bringing weapon to school

September 18, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — A Moorhead High School student was taken into custody after a school resource officer discovered a gun in their possession. Staff members at Moorhead Career Academy reported seeing the student drop the gun during a class transition period. The 17-year-old was swiftly taken into the office and eventually taken to West Central Regional Juvenile Center. An…

Juvenile male taken into custody for threat against Dilworth Glyndon Felton Schools

September 15, 2025

TJ Nelson,

(09/16/25 UPDATE) After consulting with the County Attorney, no further information can be released regarding this incident. DILWORTH, Minn. (KVRR) — A juvenile male was taken into custody Monday afternoon after a threat against Dilworth Glyndon Felton Schools over the weekend. Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says the juvenile was taken to West Central Regional Juvenile Center in Moorhead and…

Man Arrested After 10 Pounds of Meth Was Found During Search Warrant

June 17, 2024

TJ Nelson,

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — A Moorhead man was arrested last week after an investigation and search uncovered ten pounds of meth. 45-year-old Cory McKay was arrested on aggravated controlled substance charges. Last Wednesday, a number of agencies conducted a search warrant in the 200 block of 16th Street South after detectives concluded that McKay was trafficking large quantities of controlled…

Murder charges dropped in beating death of man in Hawley

March 23, 2022

Jim Monk,

Christopher GreywaterMOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Clay County prosecutors have dismissed 2nd degree murder charges against Christopher Greywater, the man charged in the death of Lucas Lacroix Smith. After Greywater’s trial ended with a hung jury, prosecutors requested additional evidence to be tested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to clarify issues that were raised during the trial. Clay County…

Seventh Judicial District Judge Candidates List Does Not Include Brian Melton

Clay County Attorney Exluded From Candidate List By Commission On Judicial Selection

March 13, 2018

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Clay County Attorney Brian Melton is not in the running to serve as a Seventh Judicial District judge in Minnesota. Melton’s name was not included in the list of six candidates sent to Governor Dayton by the Commission on Judicial Selection. They include Michelle Clark, Douglas Clark, Amber Gustafson, Tammy Merkins, Kevin Miller and Jade Rosenfeldt….

Charges Expected in Fatal Moorhead Shooting Thursday Night

Jacob Glover Was Allegedly Shot and Killed by Neil Johnson

April 9, 2017

TJ Nelson,

Jacob Glover & fiance | Neil Johnson Formal charges are expected this week against the man accused of shooting and killing a male acquaintance at his home in Moorhead. 25-year-old Neil Johnson is being held in the Clay County Jail pending a Long Form Complaint through the Clay County Attorney’s Office. Charges could include First Degree Manslaughter. Authorities say Johnson…