Redwood Falls man found guilty of using Facebook to violate no-contact order

A Redwood Falls man, Justin Daniel Okins, 39, has been found guilty in Redwood County Court of using Facebook to violate a domestic abuse no-contact order (DANCO).

According to Redwood County Attorney Jenna  Peterson, on Dec. 23,  2022, Okins was served with a DANCO prohibiting him from having direct or indirect contact with the protected party, and from engaging in any threatening or harassing conduct that would place the protected party in reasonable fear.

Just three days later, on Dec. 26, 2022,  after being released from the Redwood County Jail on similar charges, Okins made multiple slanderous and threatening Facebook posts directed at the protected party. Screen shots  of the Facebook posts were sent to the protected party by a mutual acquaintance who was  concerned.

The protected party informed law enforcement the Facebook posts were meant for  her, and the posts caused her to be in fear.  

Assistant County Attorney Shannon Ness, who prosecuted the case, told the jury in her closing argument, “Facebook is not a private venue. Posting on Facebook is the exact opposite of  private. (Okins) made four Facebook posts directly addressing the protected party, and he knew full well she would see those messages.”  

Okins will be sentenced Oct. 30 at the Redwood County Courthouse.