Case 3:24-cr-00142-PDW Document 67 Filed 02/20/26 Page 1 of 2
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Case No. 3:24-CR-142
Plaintiff,
MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS
vs. COUNSEL
ROSS SYLVESTER ELENDU,
Defendant.
Erich M. Grant, Attorney for the Defendant, moves the Court for its order allowing him to
withdraw as counsel for the Defendant, Ross Sylvester Elendu, based upon the following cause:
1. There has been a complete and irretrievable breakdown of the attorney-client relationship
whereby effective representation is no longer possible.
2. The Defendant has demanded that the undersigned withdraw as his counsel.
3. Reasonable efforts have been made to resolve these issues but to no avail.
4. The defendant has been convicted by a jury and is in detention pending sentencing on April
2, 2026, at 1:30 PM. Sufficient time remains for the defendant to retain new counsel in
advance of his sentencing hearing. He would not be prejudiced by withdrawal.
Based upon the forgoing reasons, Counsel for the Defendant respectfully moves to withdraw
as counsel for the Defendant.
Dated this 20th day of February, 2026. MCGEE, HANKLA, & BACKES, P.C.
BY: /s/ Erich M. Grant
Erich M. Grant (ND ID# 07593)
E-mail: egrant@mcgeelaw.com
2400 E. Burdick Expwy., Ste. 100
PO Box 998
Minot, North Dakota 58702-0998
(701) 852-2544
Attorney for the Defendant
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Case 3:24-cr-00142-PDW Document 67 Filed 02/20/26 Page 2 of 2
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Erich M. Grant, counsel for the Defendant, hereby certifies that the foregoing document was
served upon the following:
By Certified Mail: By Electronic Filing:
Ross Elendu #2025004029 Matthew Greenley
Sherburne County Jail Assistant U.S. Attorney
13880 Business Ctr Dr., NW, Suite 200 matthew.greenley@usdoj.gov
Elk River, MN 55330
Dated this 20th day of February, 2026. MCGEE, HANKLA, & BACKES, P.C.
BY: /s/ Erich M. Grant
Erich M. Grant (ND ID# 07593)
E-mail: egrant@mcgeelaw.com
2400 E. Burdick Expwy., Ste. 100
PO Box 998
Minot, North Dakota 58702-0998
(701) 852-2544
Attorney for the Defendant
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