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A judge has rejected a plea agreement for Dallas Rice of Minot, who faces Class A felony charges in connection with stolen funds from a local archery club.
Rice was taken into custody following his appearance in North Central District Court Monday, Sept. 28, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit theft of more than $50,000. He also is charged with theft of more than $50,000, which was proposed to be dismissed under the plea agreement.
District Judge Gary Lee rejected the plea agreement presented by Ward County’s special prosecutor Jeremy Ensrud and Rice and his attorney, Ashley Gulke. He also ordered Rice to be taken into immediate custody. Rice had been free on bond.
A status conference was set for Oct. 16, at which time the court could consider bond release again and determine whether to proceed to trial. Rice’s guilty plea to the one Class A felony count still stands in the meantime. Rice also submitted to the court two letters of reference from individuals in the community.
The terms of the proposed agreement were not disclosed. A Class A felony carries a penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
Rice was charged in March. According to the court affidavit, Souris Valley Bowmen board members discovered $160,000 missing while investigating a bounced check in July 2025. Rice, who was the organization’s president, admitted to using club funds for personal expenses and agreed to repay $160,000, which the club received on July 18, 2025. A further review of bank records by investigators calculated total unauthorized transactions of more than $183,000 from the general and gaming accounts.
Dallas Rice’s wife, Nichole Rice, who had been club treasurer, also was charged Class A felony conspiracy to commit theft in excess of $50,000 and a Class B felony charge of theft between $10,000 and $50,000. She pleaded guilty to the Class B felony and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and two years of probation.