Nationwide search nets St. Peter man

MEMPHIS, TENN. — A St. Peter man was arrested and is in Shelby County (Tenn.) Jail after a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest.

Donald Earl Smith, 45, is accused of taking a 12-year-old girl to Mankato against her will and sexually touching her during the trip. He is facing felony charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment and fourth-degree sexual conduct.

The warrant was issued because it was believed Smith was on a bus to Memphis when the complaint was filed on July 17. Smith was arrested as a fugitive from justice and booked on Friday, according to jail records.

Le Sueur man hurt in Tuesday crach

HENDERSON — A 22-year-old Le Sueur man was seriously injured and hospitalized after a single-car accident early on Highway 93 Tuesday morning.

Jared Wentzlaff was driving a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix eastbound south of Henderson around 1:30 a.m. when the car ran off the road, hit a driveway approach and vaulted into a tree, according to a state patrol report. The injury was non-life threatening, but Wentzlaff was transported to Le Sueur Hospital and then airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.

Alcohol was detected, the state patrol said.

New Ulm teenager suffers back injury

NICOLLET — A 16-year-old New Ulm boy was hospitalized with an apparent back injury after a two-car accident at the intersection of Highways 14 and 111 Tuesday.

Brock Sieve was taken to New Ulm Medical Center after the car he was a passenger in was hit broadside.

Danielle Sieve, 21, was driving the 1993 Ford Explorer when it was struck by a 2000 Buick Century driven by Bernice Thompson, 76, of Nicollet around 2 p.m. Danielle Sieve had a minor injury. Thompson was not injured.

Three arrests made by drug task force

MANKATO — Three arrests were made by the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force Monday, including one that concluded a month-long operation.

Cynthia Annette Frederick, 37, of Mankato was arrested pending charges of first degree controlled substance sales and child endangerment after undercover officers made several purchases of crack cocaine from Frederick at several locations, including at Frederick’s residence at 108 Dane St. when her teenage children were present.