BISMARCK, N.D. – A Wisconsin woman arrested in connection with the death of a Watford City man in 2021 has been sentenced to three years of probation and has agreed to testify at the trial of the defendant who’s facing a murder charge.
Jessica Saueressig, of Cascade, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of hindering law enforcement. Saueressig and Carlos Mendivil-Beltran, of Mesa, Arizona, were arrested following the July 25 death of 43-year-old Brian Rowe.
Prosecutors say the three, whose relationship was unclear, were traveling in Dunn County, N.D. when an altercation began between Mendivil-Beltran and Rowe. A court affidavit alleges Mendivil-Beltran shot Rowe several times and pushed him out of the vehicle.
Mendivil-Beltran and Saueressig were arrested in Moorhead two days later, after a search that included police dog and a Moorhead Fire Department drone.
Southwest District Judge Dann Greenwood suspended a five-year prison sentence for Saueressig. The court record states Saueressig will “cooperate with prosecution and testify truthfully” at Mendivil-Beltran’s trial.
Mendivil-Beltran is scheduled for a trial beginning May 9.