73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court

3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
Stearns County, MN

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Stearns 7th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. CR-2018-790
Court File No. 73-CR-18-2511

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Order of Detention
vs.
GREGORY ALLEN SCHEEL    DOB: 05/30/1984
1525 Mill Street W
Paynesville, MN 56362
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not Premeditated
Minnesota Statute: 609.19.1(1), with reference to:  609.19.1
Maximum Sentence: Up to 40 years in prison.
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 03/21/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18300309
Charge Description: That the above-named defendant, Gregory Allen Scheel, then and there being, did
wrongfully, unlawfully, and feloniously cause the death of another, to wit: W.A.S., with intent to cause the
death of that person.
COUNT II
Charge: Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not Premeditated
Minnesota Statute: 609.19.1(1), with reference to:  609.19.1
Maximum Sentence: Up to 40 years in prison.
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 03/21/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18300309
Charge Description: That the above-named defendant, Gregory Allen Scheel, then and there being, did
wrongfully, unlawfully, and feloniously cause the death of another, to wit: G.A.S., with intent to cause the
death of that person.

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 73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
Stearns County, MN

 
The Complainant states that the following facts establish probable cause:
 
On March 21, 2018, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Paynesville Police Department conducted a welfare
check on W.A.S. and G.A.S., the victims herein and fully identified in police reports, at their home, 1525
West Mill Street in the City of Paynesville, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, as they had not shown up
for a family dinner. One officer entered the residence as part of his welfare check investigation and no
individuals or vehicles were located. Other attempts to locate W.A.S. and G.A.S. were unsuccessful on
March 21, 2018. 

During the initial welfare check investigation, officers learned that W.A.S. and G.A.S. lived with their
grandson, Gregory Allen Scheel, DOB: 5/30/1984, the defendant herein. Officers learned that a family
member had been at the residence at approximately 6:50 p.m. on March 21, 2018, and had spoken with
defendant. He advised that W.A.S. and G.A.S. were not home, had left earlier in the day with unknown
individuals, and were heading to Sauk Rapids. At the time of this visit, the defendant was the only one at
the residence and W.A.S. and G.A.S.'s blue Toyota Prius was in the garage. No other vehicles were at the
residence. 

On March 22, 2018, at approximately 11:53 a.m., the Paynesville Police Department in conjunction with
other law enforcement officers again responded to the residence at the request of the family to check the
welfare of W.A.S. and G.A.S as there had still been no contact. Officers again entered the residence
looking for any occupants as part of their welfare check investigation. Officers noted possible blood in the
garage and it appeared the garage concrete floor had recently been cleaned. Officers also noted an eye
glass lens in the garage floor drain. Neither W.A.S. nor G.A.S were home and their vehicle was missing. 

Investigation revealed that W.A.S. was seen alive at approximately 2:50 p.m. on March 21, 2018, as he
checked his mailbox. 

During the investigation, officers learned family members left the residence on March 21, 2018, and within
approximately two to three minutes the Prius is seen on surveillance video leaving the neighborhood with
what appears to be a single occupant. 

On March 22, 2018, at approximately 4:54 p.m., the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's office received a report that
the Prius was located on or near County Road 5 and Erickson Lane in Colfax Township, Kandiyohi County.
When the vehicle was searched W.A.S. and G.A.S. were found deceased. W.A.S.'s arms and legs were
bound and there was a plastic bag was over his head. G.A.S. had an electrical cord wrapped around her
neck. Eye glasses, believed to belong to G.A.S., were located and found to be missing a lens. W.A.S. and
G.A.S. were covered with a section of carpet. The vehicle smelled of gasoline and portions of the interior
were charred or covered in soot. 

On March 22, 2018, at approximately 9:10 p.m., the defendant was found approximately one half mile from
the vehicle. His clothing was taken. A review of footprints near the driver's side of the vehicle appear
consistent with the tread pattern of the shoes the defendant was wearing when located. 

The bodies were transported to Midwest Medical Examiner's Office. The medical examiner advised that
W.A.S died of asphyxiation from the plastic bag and that G.A.S. died of strangulation by ligature. The
manner of death for both was found to be homicide. 

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 73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Scene Team searched the home of W.A.S. and G.A.S. where Stearns County, MN
they found blood in the garage. Also in the garage, agents collected a lens to a pair of eye glasses
matching those recovered from the vehicle. The lens contained blood. Also located were cut electrical
cords matching those found on the bodies, a plastic bag matching the bag over W.A.S.'s head, and carpet
similar to that covering the bodies. 

Complainant has reason to believe and does believe that the above information is true and correct. 

The above facts constitute complainant's basis for believing that the above-named defendant on or about
the 21st day of March 2018, in the City of Paynesville, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, committed
the offenses described herein.

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 73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS 3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
Stearns County, MN

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Paul D Wegner Electronically Signed:

Chief of Police 03/26/2018 08:59 AM
221 Washburne Avenue Stearns County,  MN
Paynesville, MN 56362
Badge: 7101

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Joshua J. Kannegieter Electronically Signed:

Assistant County Attorney 03/26/2018 08:38 AM
705 Courthouse Square
St. Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 656-3880

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 73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE 3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
Stearns County, MN
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 to answer this complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

X ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: March 26, 2018.

Judicial Officer John H. Scherer Electronically Signed: 03/26/2018 09:10 AM

Judge of District Court

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF STEARNS
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Order of
vs. Detention upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Gregory Allen Scheel
Defendant

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 73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
DEFENDANT FACT SHEET 3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
Stearns County, MN

Name: Gregory Allen Scheel
DOB: 05/30/1984
Address: 1525 Mill Street W
Paynesville, MN 56362

Alias Names/DOB:
SID: MN03076632
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 190lbs.
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Gender: MALE
Race: White
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: Yes
Driver's License #: C973077359619   (MN)
Alcohol Concentration:

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 73-CR-18-2511 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID 3/26/2018 09:53:45 AM
Stearns County, MN

Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case

Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 3/21/2018 609.19.1(1) Felony H2001 N MN0730300 18300309

Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not
Premeditated
  Penalty 3/21/2018 609.19.1 Felony H2001 N MN0730300 18300309
Murder - 2nd Degree

2 Charge 3/21/2018 609.19.1(1) Felony H2001 N MN0730300 18300309

Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not
Premeditated
  Penalty 3/21/2018 609.19.1 Felony H2001 N MN0730300 18300309
Murder - 2nd Degree