Carver County Sheriff announces drug arrest in Cologne

CARVER COUNTY, MN – Carver County deputies, along with other members of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force, arrested three men for 1st Degree sale of cocaine in Cologne Feb. 23, according to Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson.

Arrested were Manuel Zarate-Huerta, 27, Rafael Rosas, 34, and Noe Giovanni Garcia, 27.

Through their investigation, law enforcement agents learned of a drug dealer who allegedly sells in and around the Minneapolis area. Further investigation led them to the Holiday gas station at 409 Paul Avenue South in Cologne, where they witnessed a transaction in which $4,000 was exchanged for 140 grams of cocaine, according to the sheriff’s office.

The three arrested are in custody at the Carver County Jail awaiting their first court appearance.

McLeod County residents among 28 charged in major marijuana bust

McLEOD COUNTY, MN – Local law enforcement agencies, along with other federal, state, and local agencies, participated in the investigation and arrests related to a drug operation, according to a release issued by the US Department of Justice, US Attorney’s Office, for the District of Minnesota.

A federal indictment and criminal complaint unsealed earlier Friday charge 28 individuals for allegedly conspiring to distribute 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana throughout Minnesota and Colorado over the past four years. Both charging documents were unsealed following the arrest and initial appearances of 20 of the defendants in Minnesota and Colorado, many of whom were arrested during the past two days.

The indictment, which was filed with the US District Court last month, charges each of the following 26 defendants with conspiring to distribute 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana:

Daniel Garcia-Fonseca, 24, and Alonso Rascon-Olivas, 58, both of Bloomington; Bruce John Johnson, 25, of St. Cloud; Charles Joseph Kalenberg, 58, of Stewart; Tyler Louis Kyte, 24, of Belle Plaine; William Robert Laurie, 27, of Richfield; Federico Llamas III, 32, Michael Ascencion Moreno, 31, and Yolanda Jean Moreno, 27, all of New Auburn; Amy Marie Mayberry, 26, and Stephanie Rachel Raduenz, 23, both of Glencoe; Patrick Thomas Maykoski, 41, of St. Paul; Jorge Luis Medrano, 24, of Hutchinson; Gustavo Moreno, unknown age, and Carlos Munoz-Perez, 32, both of Denver, CO; Greg Bryan Ortega, 30, of St. Peter; Cesar Sevilla-Acosta, 35, of St. Paul; Joel Auren Zellman, 44, of Silver Lake; Juan Alonzo-Perez, 24, Stefanie Donna Kalenberg, 26, Sabrina Jean Lafountaine, age 29, Alan Lee Lorentz, 32, Rogelio E. Obeso-Melchor, 32, and Jorge Luis Villar-Meras, age 35, all with unknown addresses; and two unnamed defendants.

In addition, Kyte, Lafountaine, Lorentz, Maykoski, and Obeso-Melchor were charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and Rascon-Olivas was charged with two counts of distribution of marijuana. Laurie also was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 or more kilograms of marijuana, while Llamas and Michael Moreno also were charged with one count of distribution of marijuana.

The indictment also alleges that from 2006 until recently, the defendants conspired to distribute 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana. In addition, it alleges that on August 19, 2009, Laurie possessed with intent to distribute 100 or more kilograms of marijuana; on December 11, 2009, Johnson distributed one-quarter of a pound of marijuana; on December 15, 2009, Michael Moreno distributed seven pounds of marijuana; on December 15, 2009, Lafountaine and Lorentz possessed with intent to distribute seven pounds of marijuana; on February 24, 2010, Rascon-Olivas distributed 50 pounds of marijuana; on February 24 and 25, 2010, Maykoski possessed with intent to distribute 90 pounds of marijuana; on April 20, Rascon-Olivas distributed 84 pounds of marijuana; on April 20, Obeso-Melchor possessed with intent to distribute 84 pounds of marijuana; on April 20, Llamas distributed eight pounds of marijuana; and on April 20, Kyte possessed with intent to distribute eight pounds of marijuana.

The complaint, filed with the US District Court September 23, charges Ricardo Diaz, 28, and Jose Luis Renterra, 37, both of Bloomington, with one count of conspiracy to distribute 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana. It alleges that from 2006 until recently, the defendants conspired to distribute 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana.

If convicted, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on the conspiracy charge. In addition, Johnson, Kyte, Lafountaine, Llamas, Lorentz, Maykoski, Moreno, Obeso-Melchor, and Rascon-Olivas face a potential maximum penalty of five years on each distribution count. Laurie also faces a potential maximum penalty of 40 years on the possession with intent to distribute charge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Minneapolis-St Paul District Office, the Bloomington Police Department, the McLeod County Sheriff’s Office, the Sibley County Sheriff’s Office, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Hutchinson Police Department, and the Glencoe Police Department with assistance provided by the South West Metro Drug Task Force, DEA Denver Office, Denver Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, the Dakota County Drug Task Force, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the US Marshals Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.

The Lester Prairie Police Department assisted in the arrest of two of the suspects, LaFountaine and Lorentz, according to Lester Prairie Police Chief Bob Carlson.

Second suspect arrested in Lester Prairie drug case

LESTER PRAIRIE, MN – Colton Lee Sikorski, 20, of Lester Prairie, turned himself in to the Lester Prairie Police Department Sunday at approximately 4:45 p.m. He was arrested without incident and transported to the McLeod County Jail where he is being held for court today, according to the Lester Prairie Police Department.

Sikorski and Bruce Byron Lutgen III, 24, of Lester Prairie were charged with selling 112.5 grams of marijuana for hundreds of dollars in cash, according to the police department.

Lutgen was arrested Thursday by Lester Prairie Police for felony sale of marijuana (controlled substance crime in the fifth degree)Thursday, according to the Lester Prairie Police Department.

The maximum penalty for this offense if found guilty is five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Three suspects arrested in connection with daytime burglaries in rural Carver County

CARVER COUNTY, MN – Three suspects have been arrested in connection with rural Carver County burglaries, according to Carver County Sheriff Byron “Bud” Olson.

On July 12,the sheriff’s office received reports of the burglaries of seven residences in Carver County. The suspects in these crimes entered homes during the daytime and ransacked them, taking numerous valuable items. One home that was entered had witnesses, which led to a composite drawing of one suspect, that was published by the media.

On August 24, three suspects were arrested as a result of the ongoing investigation. Arrested were: Daniel Hunter Masloski, 27, of White Bear Lake, for 2nd Degree Burglary and Possession of a Weapon; Sean Jason MaCaloon,39, of Lakeville, for 2nd Degree Burglary and Possession of a Weapon; and James Wilson Richardson, 32, of Stillwater for 2nd Degree Burglary.

The suspects in this case were identified through a multi agency effort involving Carver County, Wright County, Rice County, Isanti County, Anoka County, Sherburne County, Kanabec County, Ramsey County, Le Sueur County, St Croix County (Wisconsin) and the cities of Faribault, Lakeville and Bloomingtion. Several search warrants were executed and a large inventory of stolen property was recovered.

The property will be on display Tuesday, August 31, at 2 p.m. at the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, 606 East 4th Street, Chaska. Investigators are attempting to locate the rightful owners with the assistance of the local media.

“I am very proud of all the detectives in this case,” Olson said. “We would not have been able to solve this one if it wasn’t for the dedication and commitment of the detectives, especially those from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.”

Inmate escapes from McLeod County Jail

GLENCOE, MN – McLeod County authorities are in the process of searching for an escaped male inmate, identified as Mario Morales, who described as a Hispanic male, with a short, stocky build and dark hair. He escaped Thursday morning from the McLeod County Jail from a courtroom following a court appearance, and authorities are presently searching the Glencoe area. Just before 1 p.m., McLeod County Sheriff Scott Rehmann told the Herald Journal Morales was in the process of being moved from the courtroom to a holding cell when he ran from the courthouse. Rehmann said he may or may not still have handcuffs on and may be wearing a green jumpsuit with “McLeod County” on the back. Rehmann added that Morales hasn’t been aggressive with law enforcement in the past, but said, “you always have to consider an escapee dangerous.” Assisting the sheriff’s office includes Glencoe Police Department, Hutchinson Emergency Response Unit/Police Department, Sibley County Sheriff’s Office, and canine units. Rehmann asks if anyone spots Morales to call 911 immediately and to not approach him. He does also have a history in the Winsted, New Germany, and Silver Lake areas, it was noted. Rehmann said at this time, he is not sure if Morales is mobile or hiding somewhere, and has no solid leads on a possible vehicle.

UPDATE: SUSPECT CAUGHT: Authorities have recaptured Mario Morales, who escaped from the McLeod County Jail Thursday morning. He was located in a garage in Glencoe on 13th Street, several blocks from the jail, around 2:40 p.m., and transported back to the jail.

Thefts reported in Carver County

CARVER COUNTY, MN – There have been five thefts from motor vehicles reported in the City of New Germany recently, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office reminds the citizens of New Germany and the rest of Carver County to:

• remove valuables from vehicles

• secure vehicle windows and doors

• report any suspicious behavior

In addition to thefts from vehicles, the sheriff’s office reported that there have been bicycle thefts across Carver County, including the cities of Waconia and Norwood-Young America.

Boat motors and other water sports equipment are another target of thieves at this time of year.

Since the beginning of June, there have been two boat motors stolen (Laketown and Young America townships); a row boat stolen (Watertown Township); and a canoe stolen (Chanhassen).

There have been numerous thefts from motor vehicles over the past few months. This is an ongoing problem across the nation, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office urges people to remove any items of value from vehicles when they are parked. Simply tucking valuables out of sight does not protect them. The thieves are very aware of all of the hiding spots and will go through vehicles quickly.

To help avoid loss, residents are asked to secure valuables by removing them from vehicles for safe-keeping.

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