The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Carrie Cotton
Carrie Cotton has seen a heap of charges filed against her in recent weeks.
On Monday, Nov. 19, the Carrington resident was charged with eight counts of impersonating law enforcement officials, and since Nov. 14 she's been charged with 12 counts of violating a restraining order, one count of stalking, two counts for harassment via repeated telephone calls and one more count for disorderly conduct - harassment.
Six of her impersonation charges have since been dismissed for lack of probable cause, but two still remain.
According to court documents, Cotton created a Facebook account in 2023 named "pete pumpin," and proceeded to make a post stating she was Carrington Police Chief Christopher Bittmann.
The post was made to the "Carrington/New Rockford Online Rummage Sale" Facebook page.
"As the city of Carrington police chief, I feel I should be held to a higher standard," reads the post, which was quoted in court documents. "I have not felt those duties after that I am sorry. I would like to apologize to my wife [redacted] and my daughter [redacted]."
The Facebook post impersonating Bittmann goes on to say he allowed family to come to Carrington and sell methamphetamine, and states that he's been unfaithful to his wife.
A few days later, she created another fake Facebook account impersonating Bittmann, and this time posted to the "Dickinson, ND: Buy, Sell & Trade" Facebook page.
That post was similar to the one posted a few days earlier.
Both impersonation charges are Class A misdemeanors that carry a maximum penalty of 360 days imprisonment and/or a $3,000 fine.
Meanwhile, regarding the stalking charge, court documents say Cotton intimidated and harassed three individuals for several months in the first half of 2023. The victims are identified by their initials in court documents.
"... the Defendant intentionally engaged in a course of conduct directed at H.C. with the intent to intimidate and harass her, which served no legitimate purpose by sending repeated Facebook messages to H.C., T.C. and B.C., and making Facebook posts on H.C.'s public business Facebook page," states court documents.
"The messages referenced specific details about H.C.'s children's events they attended and events that H.C. attended."
Cotton has pleaded not guilty to that charge, which is also a Class A misdemeanor. She has also pleaded not guilty to all 12 Class A misdemeanors for violating a restraining order, which also stem from Facebook messages she allegedly sent.
All told, Cotton is facing 18 charges related to impersonation, stalking, harassment and violating restraining orders, and that's not to mention a Class A misdemeanor charge for animal abandonment filed on Nov. 6.
Cotton has not entered a plea to the law enforcement impersonation charges, nor the animal abandonment charge.
Her next court appearances are Tuesday, Dec. 10 for the impersonation and animal abandonment charges, and Tuesday, Jan. 7 for the stalking, restraining order and harassment charges.
Cotton is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
