Slade Vernon Herfindahl, 43, Tioga, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in district court in Minot to posting sexually explicit images of his ex-girlfriend on her employer’s Facebook page and texting the images to the woman’s supervisor on April 3, 2018.

“I didn’t know I did it,” Herfindahl told North Central District Court Judge Stacy Louser at the hearing. “I was on a multiple day blackout.”

Herfindahl had taken pictures of the woman and they made videos of themselves engaging in sexual activity during their relationship. However, the woman had not given consent for Herfindahl to distribute these images and had told him to delete them. The woman was uncomfortable around her supervisors and co-workers who saw the images on the Facebook page.

Herfindahl said he feels awful about what he did and would never have done such a thing in his right mind. He said he likely posted the images because he was angry at the time.

Herfindahl’s lawyer, Ashley Gulke, told Louser that Herfindahl has been battling alcohol addiction and serious mental health problems. He has been receiving intensive treatment in Williston for these problems.

A prosecutor recommended that the judge order a pre-sentence investigation due to Herfindahl’s apparent anger and addiction problems and because there was a sexual element to the crimes. Gulke said the motive was revenge or harassment and it was not a sexual crime. Herfindahl said he does not have a history of sex crimes. Herfindahl also said he has been sober for the past six or seven months.

Gulke had asked for Herfindahl to remain free prior to the sentencing so that he can continue receiving treatment in Williston, but Louser did order him immediately taken into custody. She ordered a drug and alcohol addiction evaluation and a psychological evaluation to be performed prior to the sentencing on May 7.

Herfindahl pleaded guilty to Class A misdemeanor distribution of intimate images without consent, a Class A misdemeanor, and harassment – repeated calls, a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum sentence for an A misdemanor is up to 360 days in jail and up to $3,000 in fines. The maximum for a B misdemeanor is up to 30 days in jail and up to $1,500 in fines.

Herfindahl also has charges pending in Northwest District Court in Williston, including a Class C felony DUI charge dating back to July 3 and a Class B misdemeanor simple assault – domestic violence charge dating back to July 29. Herfindal had allegedly struck a 7-year-old boy on the face at his residence in Tioga and left a bruise on the child’s face. Gulke said at the court hearing in Minot on Tuesday that Herfindahl expects the simple assault charge to be dismissed and they are only allegations.