WILLMAR -- A 21-year-old Kandiyohi man made an initial appearance Monday in District Court in Kandiyohi County facing a felony charge in connection with the vandalism of 38 mailboxes.
Christopher John Sorby is charged with first-degree criminal damage to property for his role in helping smash and damage mailboxes in rural Kandiyohi County. Sorby and three juvenile males allegedly targeted the mailboxes.
On Monday, Judge John C. Lindstrom allowed Sorby to be released on his own recognizance.
Sorby was arrested July 13 by Kandiyohi County sheriff's deputies after a man allegedly heard Sorby and the three males damaging his mailbox. The man then followed their vehicle and called authorities.
According to the complaint, when Sorby was stopped, the deputies reported a strong smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Deputies noted a large wooden stick, long pipe wrench and an open 12-pack of beer in the vehicle. A cooler with more beer was located in the trunk.
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Sorby was arrested after he allegedly failed a roadside sobriety test around 1 a.m.
During an interview with deputies, Sorby allegedly admitted to smashing the mailbox of the man who was following them in his truck. Sorby allegedly said he smashed the mailbox with the stick that was found in the car. He also told authorities that the three juveniles in the vehicle took turns smashing the next two mailboxes, and admitted to providing one of the juveniles with alcohol.
According to the complaint, further investigation found that 21 mailboxes were reported damaged between July 13 and July 14. Another 17 were reported damaged between July 5 and July 6.
Sorby was linked to these instances of vandalism after one of the juveniles admitted he was with Sorby when the mailboxes were smashed. According to the complaint, Sorby denied being involved in the July 5 and July 6 vandalism during a later interview with deputies. He allegedly admitted it after being told that one of the juveniles had implicated him in the crime.
The incident for which Sorby is charged resembles a rash of mailbox vandalism reported by the Tribune in July. On July 21 the Tribune reported that a 21-year-old man and juvenile admitted to damaging 30 mailboxes. The Sheriff's Department didn't release any names when the story was reported.
Sorby is also facing charges for providing alcohol to underage kids and driving while impaired. He is scheduled to be in court again Dec. 11.
