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Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office Official page for the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office

10/07/2026

On October 7, 2026, Dennis Balanga was charged with one count of Stalking – 2nd or Subsequent Offense (a class C Felony). The charges stem from a call the Bismarck Police Department received from the victim regarding ongoing stalking concerns. The victim documented seeing the defendant numerous times at her apartment complex over the last 6 weeks and stated there were multiple occasions when the defendant attempted to speak with her.

At the initial hearing, Judge James Hill set bond for this case at $25,000 cash, noting that the defendant has five prior convictions for Violating an Order Prohibiting Contact, as well as three prior Stalking convictions. Judge Hill also signed a new Order Prohibiting Contact and set no contact as a provision of bond.

A class C Felony is punishable by up to 5 years’ incarceration, and a maximum fine of $10,000.

𝐴 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘™ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘ 𝑖𝑠 π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 π‘‘π‘’π‘“π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘  π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘‘ π‘–π‘›π‘›π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑙 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘£π‘’π‘› 𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑦 π‘π‘’π‘¦π‘œπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Ž π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘œπ‘›π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œπ‘’π‘π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘™π‘Žπ‘€.

10/06/2026

On October 5, 2026, Mya Yellseagle pled guilty to two felony offenses – Endangering an Eligible Adult (a class B felony) and Preventing Arrest (a class C felony).

On August 24, 2026, officers with the Bismarck Police Department responded to a residence after a welfare check was requested when the victim’s daytime caretaker from Home Helpers could not enter the residence. The caller stated that the defendant was supposed to be there overnight providing care to the victim who required around the clock assistance. The Bismarck Fire Department responded and assisted officers with entering the residence, where the victim was located laying on the bed. Yellseagle was located passed out in the bathroom and officers asked her to submit to a breath test, where her blood alcohol content was .197. After requesting to be transported to the hospital for medical treatment, Yellseagle became belligerent and uncooperative with medical personnel, and following discharge, refused to cooperate with the officers who were transporting her to jail.

Due to a lack of criminal history, the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office requested five years in custody, all suspended for two years of supervised probation with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) for both counts. The State also requested the Judge impose either 180 days to serve at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center, or for her to live in sober living for the same period, while participating in alcohol treatment.

The defense asked for a two-year deferred imposition of sentence, in addition to supervised probation with DOCR.

Judge Jackson Lofgren sentenced Yellseagle to a two-year deferred imposition of sentence with 2 years of supervised probation, and that she participates in the 24/7 Sobriety Program for 180 days. With a deferred imposition of sentence, if Yellseagle successfully completes probation, the case will be dismissed.

10/05/2026
09/24/2026

𝐁𝐒𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐀, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐑 πƒπšπ€π¨π­πš – On September 23, 2026, Donovan Darling was charged with one count of Terrorizing – With a Dangerous Weapon, a class C felony punishable by up to 5 years’ incarceration, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.

The Bismarck Police Department responded to a person with a knife call on September 22, 2026, after employees at the House of Color had asked the defendant to leave the business’ parking lot. The defendant took out a 3-4” black folding knife, waved it in front of the victim, and asked, β€œdo you wanna take me?” putting the victim and other staff members in fear of injury.

At the initial appearance, the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office noted the defendant is currently out on bond for a few other cases, which include charges for Criminal Mischief and Terrorizing – With a Dangerous Weapon. Judge Lindsey Nieuwsma set bond for this case in the amount of $5,000 cash.

A motion to revoke bond was filed in the pending Terrorizing charge. On September 24, 2026, Judge Lindsey Nieuwsma set bond in that case at $20,000 cash bond, allowing his previously posted $7,500 bond to apply.

𝐴 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘™ π‘–π‘›π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› 𝑖𝑠 π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 π‘‘π‘’π‘“π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘  π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘‘ π‘–π‘›π‘›π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑙 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘£π‘’π‘› 𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑦 π‘π‘’π‘¦π‘œπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Ž π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘œπ‘›π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œπ‘’π‘π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘™π‘Žπ‘€.

09/22/2026

*** SCAM ALERT ***
The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department has been notified of a scam targeting family members of recently incarcerated inmates.

In this instance, the scammer called a family member of an inmate, identified themself as a BCSD employee, and requested $250 for a bed in a treatment facility for the inmate. The scammer goes on to say that if the inmate completes training, an additional $1,400 would then be needed.

Employees at the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department and the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center will not call family members to solicit funds on behalf of inmates. This sort of monetary request would have to come from the inmate, either directly or via their legal counsel. We will never ask you for payment of any kind over the phone.

If you ever have questions or concerns about the legitimacy of a call claiming to come from BCSD or BMDC, hang up and call 701-222-6651.

𝐁𝐒𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐀, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐑 πƒπšπ€π¨π­πš - On September 11, 2026, Michael Meier was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernali...
09/11/2026

𝐁𝐒𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐀, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐑 πƒπšπ€π¨π­πš - On September 11, 2026, Michael Meier was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a class C felony), Possession of Five or Fewer SII, III IV, V or CSA Pills (a class A Misdemeanor) and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (an infraction).

The Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop after a Deputy noticed the defendant driving a vehicle with an inoperable license plate light. After consenting to a search of his vehicle, the Deputy found a glass ma*****na smoking device, a prescription pill bottle with pills belonging to someone else, and a blue Ziploc bag that contained a tweezers, nail clippers, multiple scoop tools, and a scale.

At the initial appearance, the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed Meier’s criminal history for the past 110 days, beginning in May 2026, including six other criminal cases filed, two felony cases in which petitions for revocation of supervised probation have been filed, and three failures to appear in court for scheduled hearings. In addition to the charges filed today, Meier’s six other criminal cases include felony and misdemeanor charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, class C felony, 5 counts; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, class C felony, 6 counts; Possession of Controlled Substance, class A misdemeanor, 2 counts; and Preventing Arrest, class A misdemeanor. He is also facing probation revocation on charges from 2024 of Duty in Accident Involving Serious Personal Injury, class C felony, Possession of Controlled Substance, class C felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, class C felony, and Possession of Controlled Substance, class A misdemeanor.

The State requested $100,000 cash bond, noting that the defendant’s recent behavior and failures to appear in court showed he was a danger to the community and a flight risk. Judge Marina Spahr set bond at $100,000.

A class C felony is punishable by up to five years’ incarceration, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.
A class A misdemeanor is punishable by 360 days incarceration, a maximum fine of $3,000, or both.

𝐴 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘™ π‘–π‘›π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› 𝑖𝑠 π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 π‘‘π‘’π‘“π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘  π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘‘ π‘–π‘›π‘›π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑙 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘£π‘’π‘› 𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑦 π‘π‘’π‘¦π‘œπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Ž π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘œπ‘›π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œπ‘’π‘π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘™π‘Žπ‘€.

09/09/2026

𝐁𝐒𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐀, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐑 πƒπšπ€π¨π­πš - On September 9, 2026, Jose Breitzman was charged with one count of Domestic Violence Assault – Serious Bodily Injury, a class C felony punishable by up to 5 years’ incarceration, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.

The charge stems from an incident on September 8, 2026, when the Bismarck Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance in progress. Upon arriving, officers located the defendant outside the apartment, and, when questioned, the defendant admitted to punching the victim in the face multiple times. Officers subsequently located the victim who was missing multiple teeth and had blood on her face, arms, and hands.

Judge Marina Spahr noted the violent nature of the allegation, setting bond at $10,000 cash and prohibiting the defendant from contacting the victim.

𝐴 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘™ π‘–π‘›π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› 𝑖𝑠 π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 π‘‘π‘’π‘“π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘  π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘‘ π‘–π‘›π‘›π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑙 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘£π‘’π‘› 𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑦 π‘π‘’π‘¦π‘œπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Ž π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘œπ‘›π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œπ‘’π‘π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘™π‘Žπ‘€.

On September 1, 2026, Jerry Rayburn pled guilty to Theft – Possession Over $50,000, a class A felony, and Driving Under ...
09/01/2026

On September 1, 2026, Jerry Rayburn pled guilty to Theft – Possession Over $50,000, a class A felony, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI), a class B misdemeanor.

On July 26, 2026, the Bismarck Police Department responded to reports of a traffic collision where the driver was attempting to leave the scene. Upon arrival, officers located Arizona resident Jerry Rayburn inside a 2023 Volvo D6J front-end payloader. Officers detected the odor of alcohol and observed Rayburn’s eyes to be bloodshot. He consented to a chemical breath test and subsequently blew a 0.118. Rayburn admitted he stole the payloader in Mandan, drove it across the Expressway Bridge to Bismarck, and said he was on his way to a church on Broadway to retrieve some of his belongings.

Rayburn was sentenced to 7 years in custody with five years suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. While incarcerated, he is required to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation and complete any recommended treatment. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $3,697.88 in restitution to the collision victim, in monthly payments of at least $125 upon his release from incarceration, as well as a $500 fine.

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514 East Thayer Avenue
Bismarck, ND
58501

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