Winnebago bar owner facing new charge

Local News

Faribault County prosecutors are adding to a Winnebago bar owner’s legal woes.

County Attorney Kathryn Karjala filed an amended criminal complaint against David Schuster during an evidentiary hearing held remotely last Wednesday.

Schuster, owner of Schooter’s Bar, initially was charged with violating Gov. Tim Walz’s “executive order” that bars remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, he’s facing an additional misdemeanor charge of violating a state law regulating the hours and days a bar may sell liquor.

Under oath, Schuster and Police Officer Jacob Petitt testified for more than one hour before Judge Troy Timmerman.

The law Schuster is accused of violating states no on-sale establishment shall sell intoxicating liquor for consumption on a licensed premise after 1:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Attorneys on both sides will file written arguments in the next three weeks before Timmerman rules whether there is clear and convincing evidence showing Schuster committed the new charge.

David Samb, an attorney representing Schuster, and Karjala did not respond to requests for comment.

Schuster has pleaded innocent to violating the governor’ “executive order” and the case for now will be decided by a jury trial.

According to Schuster, he and three friends were playing cards, drinking pop and water and talking business with the doors of the bar locked on Sunday, March 22.

He contends that the bar wasn’t and hasn’t been open for business on a Sunday for the past 14 years because he does not have a Sunday license.

Each misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. Also, under the new charge Schuster could have his liquor license revoked or suspended.

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