Red Lake man pleads not guilty to two separate burglaries

BEMIDJI — A man accused of participating in two burglaries, including one that netted over a dozen weapons, pleaded not guilty to both crimes Monday.

Dustin Reginald Barrett, 21, of Red Lake, entered the pleas in Beltrami District Judge John Melbye’s court. Police say Barrett was with Lee Sean Fier, 22, and two other men in July 2010 when the group broke into Bluewater Bait, 136 Peaceful Meadow Lane.

Between 12 and 15 guns were taken from the store, according to court documents. Fier, of Bemidji, was sentenced in March to nine months in the Beltrami County Jail. Before being sentenced, he told Assistant County Attorney David Frank the group took the guns to Red Lake following the burglary.

Just two of the stolen weapons stolen have been recovered by police.

Barrett was picked up by a Beltrami County Sheriff’s deputy on Feb. 14. He was found with Alan James Lussier, 25, of Red Lake, outside a home that had just been burglarized. Lussier was later sentenced to 70 days in jail for the home burglary.

Barrett faces one count of first-degree burglary for his alleged involvement in the 2010 gun heist, and one count of second-degree burglary for the February incident.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 28.