Recent court proceedings in the Fifth District Court resulted in the sentencing of seven individuals for various criminal offenses. These cases, previously reported by The Globe, highlight a range of charges and sentences that reflect the court’s approach to different types of criminal behavior.
Details of Sentences Issued
Javier Cordero-Alvarez, a 35-year-old resident of Worthington, received a sentence on June 9 in Nobles County for making threats of violence related to an incident in November 2024. Although a second-degree assault charge was dismissed, Cordero-Alvarez was sentenced to three days in jail, which he has already served, and two years of supervised probation. His sentence includes a stay of imposition, meaning that if he successfully completes probation, the felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Another significant case involved Lex Phaengdara, 29, also from Worthington. On June 24, he was sentenced in Nobles County for two counts of first-degree drug crimes. These charges included possessing over 50 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine, as well as sale or possession related to a September 2022 incident. Phaengdara received an 86-month sentence in a correctional facility and was ordered to pay $75 in court fees.
In Pipestone County, Zebulon Fenton, 48, was sentenced on June 24 for third-degree criminal sexual conduct linked to an April incident. Fenton’s sentence consists of 180 days in jail and ten years of supervised probation, with a stay of imposition allowing for a potential reduction of his felony conviction to a misdemeanor if he completes probation. He must also pay $3,160 in court fees.
On July 7, Benito Ramos-Angeles, 35, from Worthington, was sentenced for domestic assault via strangulation. His sentence includes 12 months in a correctional facility, which is stayed for five years, along with five years of supervised probation and $1,235 in court fees.
In Jackson County, Antonio Ramos, 36, faced sentencing on July 2 for failing to register a new address as a predatory offender following a March incident. Ramos received a 30-day jail sentence and five years of supervised probation, with a total of $875 in court fees. His sentence operates as a stay of adjudication, allowing for a dismissal from his record upon successful completion of probation.
Also on July 2, Shamrea Sangl, 35, of Lakefield, was sentenced for third-degree burglary stemming from a February incident. An additional charge for theft of a firearm was dismissed. Sangl’s punishment includes three years of supervised probation and a fine of $615. Like others, her sentence features a stay of imposition, which could reduce her conviction to a misdemeanor.
Finally, Marshall Bejarno, 39, from Granite Falls, was sentenced on July 8 in Pipestone County for first-degree burglary related to a January incident. Bejarno’s sentencing included 45 months in a correctional facility and 180 days in jail. He will also serve five years of supervised probation and pay a fine of $660. Notably, three other charges against him were dismissed, marking a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines.
These recent sentences reflect the Fifth District Court’s ongoing efforts to address criminal behavior through various penalties, including probation and fines, in addition to incarceration. The implications of these sentences extend beyond the individuals involved, impacting community safety and the judicial system’s approach to crime and rehabilitation.
