On October 2, 2026, a bench trial was held in person at the Lake County Courthouse for Andrew Albert Deyette regarding two separate court matters: Case #38-CR-24- 204 and Case #38-CR-24-272. The Honorable Steven B. Hanke presided over the proceedings.
The State of Minnesota was represented by Lake County Attorney Lara Nygaard. Defendant Andrew Albert Deyette appeared in person alongside his defense attorney, Joseph Vaccaro. Because Deyette waived his right to a jury trial in both matters, the final decisions rest solely with Judge Hanke.
The first case, #38-CR-24-204: Indecent Exposure & Lewd Exhibition, stems from alleged offenses occurring on June 13, 2024. Deyette faces two gross misdemeanor counts of Indecent Exposure in the Presence of a Minor Under 16 and two gross misdemeanor counts of Fifth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct – Lewd Exhibition.
Proceedings for this case have been postponed pending the delivery of transcripts from a previous trial involving similar allegations. Once the transcripts are received, attorneys have requested a two week review window.
Because Deyette waived a jury trial, Judge Hanke will determine guilt or innocence after a review of submitted evidence, which includes:
• Deputy Dietz’s Testimony: Transcripts from the previous trial, excluding stricken portions referencing “grooming behavior” or what defense counsel referred to as “pedo vibes.”
• Witness Testimony Transcripts: Statements from victim “N.J.B.,” and Melissa Jackson.
• Law Enforcement Documents: Official police reports tied to the incident.
The hearing for case #38-CR-24- 272: Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) Violation immediately followed the first hearing. The court addressed charges that Deyette violated a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO).
Lead Attorney Lara Nygaard called four witnesses seeking to establish that Deyette knowingly violated the terms of his restraining order. Among them was Deputy Adam Borchert, who testified that he personally served the HRO to Deyette. He stated Andrew Deyette signed for it and confirmed receipt of the document. The Investigator Christian VonGoertz testified regarding receiving multiple reports of HRO violations. After obtaining a search warrant for surveillance footage from the Clair Nelson Center in Finland, MN, VonGoertz recovered video clips showing Deyette entering and exiting the facility on multiple occasions. Kelsey Williams (a parent) testified that she communicated with Deyette during a youth “Teen Camp” organized by Friends of Finland. Although Deyette did not physically attend the camp, he remained listed as the main contact person. A severe storm occurred during a canoe trip, Williams messaged Deyette, who confirmed later that evening that her daughter’s gear was safe inside the Clair Nelson Center (the camp’s base location). Kaare Melby (Communications Specialist, Friends of Finland) identified Deyette in court from the Clair Nelson Center surveillance footage. Melby also testified to seeing Deyette in person at a memorial service held at the center the day after he was served with the HRO.
Andrew Deyette then took the stand in his own defense. Deyette admitted receiving and reading the HRO to see how it would affect his daily routine. However, he claimed he was unaware the order barred him from the Clair Nelson Center because there was no box checked adjacent to the Clair Nelson Center wording on the HRO. During cross-examination, the prosecution reviewed Deyette’s reading ability and education level, pointing out that the restriction clearly named the Clair Nelson Center and listed its physical address. The location was designated with an organizational letter header rather than an optional checkbox because specific address restrictions do not appear on standard HRO forms by default. While the defense argued that clerical ambiguities and unchecked boxes had overturned similar cases, the prosecution countered that the restricted address was clearly listed and that the defense was attempting to create confusion over an obvious violation.
After reviewing the evidence and arguments, Judge Hanke issued a guilty verdict on Count I, misdemeanor violation of a harassment restraining order, for his conduct on June 15, 2024, in Lake County, Minnesota. The Court reaffirmed its January 23, 2025 ruling rejecting the Defendant’s challenge to the HRO’s geographic restriction. The Court Administration will schedule this matter for sentencing and provide notice to the parties.
Andrew Deyette is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Disclosure: Krista Starkovich was employed by Friends of Finland until the Spring of 2023.
