Cases against the two men charged with destroying the soccer fields at Hastings’ Veterans Athletic Complex have wrapped up.

Edward Mears, who was charged in connection with participating in the March 2019 destruction at the soccer complex, was sentenced in Dakota County Court with 15 months in jail and four years of probation. He also will have 75 days of electronic home monitoring and 30 days of service to be completed in six months.

He was also instructed by Dakota County Judge Tim Wermager to not use alcohol or drugs while on probation. Mears also has to submit to testing for chemical dependency and will be subject to random testing.

The judge also ordered him to stay away from the Veteran’s Athletic Complex.

Mears and Asa Alden Soine were charged following the vandalism with destroying the fields. Soine’s sentence last month was similar.

Reports state that Soine and Mears drove over the wet soccer fields in a “doughnut” pattern several times. Damage to the field was estimated at nearly $140,000, and the fields were unusable until repaired.

A vehicle driven by Soine was pulled over after the incident by a Dakota County Sheriff’s deputy for suspected driving. The SUV reportedly was covered in fresh mud.

Surveillance cameras near the athletic complex showed the vehicle near the soccer field on Sunday, March 29, and another camera saw the vehicle driving away about 90 minutes later.

Asa Soine

Edward Mears