Judge sets $1 million bond for Alabama fugitive

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Press Photo by Ashley Martin Southwest District Judge William Herauf, left, talks to Ashton Mink over interactive television during Mink’s bond hearing at the Stark County Courthouse Wednesday. Mink appeared from the Southwest Multi County Correction Center in Dickinson.

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A judge posted bond at $1 million Wednesday for Ashton Mink, 22, who is an Alabama fugitive charged with conspiring to commit murder and robbery.

Rhonda Ehlis, Stark County assistant state’s attorney, recommended the bond amoount to Judge William Herauf for several reasons. She said Ashton Mink was serving a 20-year sentence in Alabama for assault. She added he escaped from the prison and is a suspect in a robbery at Movie Gallery in Dickinson, a car chase and a standoff near Gladstone.

Ashton Mink and three other Alabama fugitives were allegedly in a vehicle which was pursued by authorities when one of them shot at a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper.

“Basically the other information that we have is that Mr. Mink and his coconspirators were then basically holed-up for awhile and when the standoff ended, Mr. Mink exited the place where he was at, firing a weapon as he came out,” Ehlis said.

“We believe those facts show a serious risk to the community — a serious threat of a flight risk,” she said.

Authorities reportedly returned fire and Ashton Mink was shot in the hip and hand. His wife, Jacquelin Mink, 25, was shot in the chest.

Judge William Herauf asked what Ashton Mink thought about Ehlis’s reasoning for setting the bond at $1 million.

“I don’t know, it sounds true,” Ashton Mink replied.

After the hearing, Ehlis said Ashton Mink’s statement may be used against him later.

“It’s an interesting statement, something that we will obviously consider and I guess we’ll take it from there,” Ehlis said. “It could be used against him, yes.”

Ashton Mink was transported from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson Tuesday, where he was being treated for gun shot wounds, to the Southwest Multi County Correction Center. Jacquelin Mink is reportedly being treated at a Bismarck hospital.

“We don’t have confirmation as to when she will be transported back yet,” Ehlis said. “As soon as she’s brought back, then we would have a bond hearing.”

She is unsure whether Ashton Mink will be able to post bond, adding, “I don’t have any information as to whether they can or they can’t.”

Ashton Mink, his wife, his sister, 25-year-old Angela Mink, and Joshua Southwick, 26, are all charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Angela Mink and Southwick are held at the SWMCCC.

Ehlis doesn’t believe putting all four in the same correctional facility will pose any risks.

“I think our jail is well-equipped to handle criminals of any type, so I don’t think there’s any concern of that,” Ehlis said.

She said she is unsure if any other charges will be filed against the fugitives.

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