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Stolen truck and a cache of drugs
The Polk County K-9 officer behind a major drug bust shows off the haul. – Photos provided
Huge haul results from stop
BALSAM LAKE – Polk County sheriff’s officers investigating stolen property made a traffic stop of a suspect in that case and discovered a bounty of drugs, cash and even the pickup they were driving was stolen, with attempts made to conceal the identifying numbers of the truck.
According to the probable cause report filed by PCSO, the traffic stop took place on Wednesday, Nov. 27, as they were led to believe that a man known simply as “Jake” may be delivering more stolen property to an area near Frederic.
When executing the traffic stop, the driver was identified as Jacob McPheeters, 37, Bloomington, Minnesota, and the other person in the vehicle was Samantha Leuthard, 34, Waconia, Minnesota.
The vehicle was a 2006 Ford F-350 crew cab pickup truck, which had been modified by someone to eliminate almost all identification numbers. It was later found to be stolen out of Minnesota.
Due to the original aspects of the investigation, police also had a K-9 officer do a drug search of the truck, which yielded a bounty of methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia, as well as a bag of cash, believed to be the result of methamphetamine sales.
In the end, the bust reportedly yielded 276 grams of meth and another 4.63 grams of marijuana, as well as a variety of paraphernalia and distribution equipment, leading to a variety of charges against both McPheeters and Leuthard.
Authorities charged McPheeters with felony charges related to driving the stolen pickup, as well as felony meth possession, with intent to distribute, as party to a crime, as well as misdemeanor charges of marijuana and paraphernalia possession, all as a “repeater,” which adds extra penalties.
He appeared in court before Judge Jeffrey Anderson, who set a $10,000 cash bond, which McPheeters paid on Dec. 2, and was released. He appeared before the judge again on Tuesday, Dec. 3, for a preliminary hearing, but that was delayed until Thursday, Dec. 12, where the judge will decide if there is enough evidence to bind him over for trial.
Leuthard is facing similar charges as McPheeters, including felony meth possession with intent to distribute, felony possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanor marijuana possession and paraphernalia possession, almost all as party to a crime. She also appeared before Judge Anderson, who set a $10,000 cash bond.
Leuthard had a preliminary hearing Dec. 3, where she was bound over for trial, with her arraignment slated for Dec. 12. She remains in custody at press time.
Prosecutors have suggested that additional charges may be coming from the investigation, although they were unclear as to where those charges might apply, the drugs or the stolen items.
BALSAM LAKE – Polk County sheriff’s officers investigating stolen property made a traffic stop of a suspect in that case and discovered a bounty of drugs, cash and even the pickup they were driving was stolen, with attempts made to conceal the identifying numbers of the truck.
According to the probable cause report filed by PCSO, the traffic stop took place on Wednesday, Nov. 27, as they were led to believe that a man known simply as “Jake” may be delivering more stolen property to an area near Frederic.
When executing the traffic stop, the driver was identified as Jacob McPheeters, 37, Bloomington, Minnesota, and the other person in the vehicle was Samantha Leuthard, 34, Waconia, Minnesota.
The vehicle was a 2006 Ford F-350 crew cab pickup truck, which had been modified by someone to eliminate almost all identification numbers. It was later found to be stolen out of Minnesota.
Due to the original aspects of the investigation, police also had a K-9 officer do a drug search of the truck, which yielded a bounty of methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia, as well as a bag of cash, believed to be the result of methamphetamine sales.
In the end, the bust reportedly yielded 276 grams of meth and another 4.63 grams of marijuana, as well as a variety of paraphernalia and distribution equipment, leading to a variety of charges against both McPheeters and Leuthard.
Authorities charged McPheeters with felony charges related to driving the stolen pickup, as well as felony meth possession, with intent to distribute, as party to a crime, as well as misdemeanor charges of marijuana and paraphernalia possession, all as a “repeater,” which adds extra penalties.
He appeared in court before Judge Jeffrey Anderson, who set a $10,000 cash bond, which McPheeters paid on Dec. 2, and was released. He appeared before the judge again on Tuesday, Dec. 3, for a preliminary hearing, but that was delayed until Thursday, Dec. 12, where the judge will decide if there is enough evidence to bind him over for trial.
Leuthard is facing similar charges as McPheeters, including felony meth possession with intent to distribute, felony possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanor marijuana possession and paraphernalia possession, almost all as party to a crime. She also appeared before Judge Anderson, who set a $10,000 cash bond.
Leuthard had a preliminary hearing Dec. 3, where she was bound over for trial, with her arraignment slated for Dec. 12. She remains in custody at press time.
Prosecutors have suggested that additional charges may be coming from the investigation, although they were unclear as to where those charges might apply, the drugs or the stolen items.