Two Bismarck men charged after a Dickinson Police Department prostitution sting in January have settled their cases -- with very different results.
In an agreement filed in Southwest District Court in Stark County on April 30, Bradley Balerud pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of offering to hire an individual to engage in sexual activities.
By signing the deal, Balerud agreed to pay $750 in fines and court costs and will serve a deferred sentenced under the guidelines that he not commit any crimes for 12 months.
Also last month, an identical charge levied against Brian R. Gebeke, who was picked up during the same sting operation on Jan. 5 at a Dickinson hotel, was dismissed due to "insufficient evidence," according to court records.
"The evidence seemed to show that Mr. Gebeke's involvement was very minimal," said Assistant Stark County State's Attorney Rhonda Ehlis. "We didn't feel that there was enough evidence to proceed with the charge."
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According to Ehlis and court records, Gebeke's cellphone was used to exchange text messages with an undercover police officer involved in the sting. Balerud showed up at the hotel room where the sting was being conducted, knocked on the door and provided a code word before being arrested.
Four Dickinson residents and a Hebron resident were also booked during the sting and eventually pled guilty. Wisconsin resident Shanika Walker was arrested for prostitution, also a misdemeanor, and charged by the city of Dickinson.
Balerud is listed as president of a company called U.S. Recovery Services on the company's website, but when contacted Wednesday, USRS Vice President Marshall Kilzer said Balerud "doesn't have much to do with the company" since the incident.
