Caledonia Argus

Not guilty, guilty pleas entered in vandalism

Posted: 7/16/02

Andrew J. Schwanbeck, 22, of La Crescent has pled not guilty to first degree criminal damage to property in the vandalism of construction equipment on County #3, which occurred the evening of July 29, 2001.

The cost to repair the equipment was estimated by JB Holland at $8,801.15. Recent estimates have increased the damage to $14,709.

According to the complaint, Schwanbeck and Clinton M. Rohrer, 22, of Brownsville, damaged six pieces of equipment including taking a road grader and driving it on top of a bulldozer. An investigation by Houston County Investigator, Gary Eddy used tire tracks and shoe patterns to trace the vandalism to Schwanbeck and Rohrer.

According to the complaint, the two were driving back from the Houston Hoedown when they decided to take a short cut through Hwy. 3 and vandalize the area.

Schwanbeck is being represented by public defender Joseph Bueltel. He has asked for a jury trial.

The date for the pre-trial has been set for July 26, at 9 a.m., while a jury trial has been set for August 15, at 9 a.m.

Rohrer pled guilty to first degree criminal damage to property Monday, July 1. As part of the plea bargain, the state agreed to not oppose a stay of execution of sentence and that Rohrer be placed on probation for up to five years. Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson explained that this means that they will ask for a prison sentence to be stayed, but will request that Rohrer serve some jail time in the Houston County jail.

Rohrer had originally pled not guilty and was scheduled for a jury trial June 27.

Rohrer is scheduled for sentencing on Monday, August 12, at 11 a.m.

Rohrer is being represented by Attorney James Schultz.

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