KDLM 1340 AM

DETROIT LAKES--A trial date has been set for the level three sex offender accused of violating the states predatory offender law by cutting off a GPS monitoring device last month. Forty-four year old Robert Baca will stand trial on September 21^{st on a single felony charge. Baca appeared Wednesday afternoon in Becker County District Court with his attorney Andrew Berger. County Attorney Mike Fritz represented the state. Baca served prison time for sexually assaulting a Detroit Lakes woman in the mid 90’s. After serving that sentence, he was released but violated the states predatory offender law and served an additional year. After serving that time he allegedly cut off his GPS device and fled to Pelican Rapids where he was arrested. Baca will have a roll call hearing on September 15th which will be one of his last opportunities to enter a plea. At last month's public informational meeting on the level-three predatory offender, County Attorney Fritz stated that Baca could face up to ten years for violating the terms of his release.}

ST.PAUL--A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses a Florida-based evangelist of sexually abusing a St. Cloud girl at his church's northern Minnesota retreat center. The victim's attorney Patrick Noaker says the goal of the suit is two-fold: To make the retreat center safe for children and to get money to fund the girl's treatment. Noaker says he has evidence of Gerald Derstine of Bradenton, Fla., admitting his guilt. Gerald Derstine is accused of molesting the girl starting in 2007, when she was 11, at the Strawberry Lake Christian Retreat Center in Ogema. Derstine denies the allegations. Derstine says the accusations are false and stem from the camp's firing of the girl's mother. Becker County Attorney Mike Fritz told the Detroit Lakes Newspaper that authorities have investigated the allegations, but no charges have been brought. However, Fritz said the case remains open and he will watch progress of the federal civil case. Gospel Crusades began in 1953 and Derstine became its leader in 1965. The Strawberry Lake retreat has been in operation for over 45 years.

DETROIT LAKES--Tonight a candlelight vigil will be held locally to honor the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Deputy who was shot in the line of duty last year. Chirs Dewey is currently at his in-laws home in Princeton, Minnesota. His uncle, Eric Dewey told the Fargo Forum Wednesday that Chris is "hanging in there" since being placed in hospice care on July 15th after doctors said air in his chest cavity is putting too much pressure on his lungs and heart. An Audubon woman who has been following officer Dewey's story on his wife Emily's Caringbridge website has organized tonight's vigil. Charene Vogel hopes to have a line of supporters holding candles and balloons stretching 35-miles north along Highway 59 from the bridge in Detroit Lakes to Mahnomen begining at 7:00PM. Vogel said her son is currently serving in Afghanistan and will work for law enforcement when he returns home. She said she wants to honor Deputy Dewey properly before he goes by standing shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand to let Chris know he will never be forgotten.

Everyone is invited to join Vogel and line up on Highway 59. She said to bring candles and signs and balloons for release at the end of the vigil.

DETROIT LAKES--It's Senior Day at the Becker County Fair. Mahube Senior Programs Director Karen Lenius says one of the main attractions this afternoon is the recognition of the Becker County Outstanding Seniors. The ceremony will get underway at 1:00PM under the tent behind the arena. Following the awards, pie will be served for seniors in the 4-H building. The Becker County Fair began yesterday with entry day and the opening of the rides in the Midway. Friday is Kids Day and Saturday is family day.