Kruger Pleads Guilty, Averting Trial Approved For Expanded Audio Coverage

Kruger Pleads Guilty To Threat Charges
By Zach Nelson
Melissa Kruger, 18, of DeSmet, entered a guilty plea this week to two Class 1 misdemeanors of making a threat through Facebook. Kruger originally faced a felony charge of making terroristic threats along with the misdemeanor charges. The felony charge was dropped in a plea bargain. Kruger was arrested Jan. 18 after authorities learned she made numerous threats through Facebook, including bringing a gun to school and harming students. Each misdemeanor count carries a maximum of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Aug. 3. Circuit Judge David Gienapp released Kruger from house arrest pending the sentencing, but he continued to ban her from using Facebook.