Rural New Richland man charged for illegal firearm possession

A rural New Richland man convicted of felony sexual misconduct a decade ago is facing a new felony charge after his probation officer discovered a large quantity of ammunition and firearms in a residence he shares with his partner.

Bo Elliott Kellerhalls, 43, was booked into Waseca County Jail on July 3 after being charged with possessing firearms and ammunition after being convicted of a violent crime, namely sexual abuse of a minor.

According to the statement of probable cause, Kellerhalls’s probation officer spotted an unsecured firearm on top of a dresser in the southwest corner of the home. An officer was quickly able to secure the firearm, which turned out to be loaded.

Interviewed by police, Kellerhalls claimed that he had been told by a Blue Earth County Probation Agent that he could live in the residence alongside firearms, so long as those firearms were contained in one room which only his partner would have access to.

Subsequently, Kellerhalls allegedly changed his story, denying that he had spoken with the Blue Earth County Probation officer about firearms laws, but he continued to insist that, to his knowledge, his partner was keeping all firearms under lock and key exclusively for her use.

Kellerhalls further stated that he believed his partner’s late husband had sold all of his ammunition and firearms prior to his death. However, a warrant to search the full home was subsequently issued and turned up several more firearms in the upstairs of the home.

A large supply of ammunition was also found in the living room, where Kellerhalls told police he had been sleeping most nights. That helped to trigger the felony charge.