Former Meeker County Sheriff’s investigator Roberts Hall Pace III pleaded guilty to unauthorized computer access Sept. 25 in Meeker County District Court.

The charges stem from a May 15, 2006, incident, in which Pace accessed a deputy's e-mail and forwarded a message regarding union meetings to recipients in the Sheriff's Office, according to the complaint.

An investigation by the Dakota County Sheriff's Department traced the unauthorized access back to Pace's laptop. Charges were filed March 5.

Pace, 36, was ordered to pay a $200 fine and $87 in court fees for the misdemeanor offense. Pace, who had been on unpaid personal leave for several months, voluntary resigned in August.

Stearns County Assistant County Attorney Michael Lieberg prosecuted the case.