By Katrina Vander Kooi
Rock County is seeing its share of drug problems this spring and summer. In a 30-day time period, there were three drug-related arrests in Rock County.
"Those were closer in time than we typically see," said Terry Vajgrt, assistant county attorney.
In two of the three arrests, the drug methamphetamine was involved.
"The number of drug arrests that are methamphetamine are on the rise in Rock County," Vajgrt said. "We're seeing more methamphetamines than crack."
The national surge of "meth" use is moving into middle America, and into Rock County. According to Rock County Sheriff Ron McClure, methamphetamines became more prevalent in Rock County one and a half to two years ago.
"I think it is partly because we are on Interstate 90, but also, rural areas in general are seeing more methamphetamine production," Vajgrt said.
"I think there needs to be increased awareness of the methamphetamine problem," Vajgrt said. "It is a very destructive drug. In Rock County we are not immune from its use and presence."
Methamphetamine addiction can produce cravings severe enough to provoke criminal activity. "We suspect that the burglaries could be drug-related," McClure said.
Number 1
On June 24, an accident was reported on County Road 7, approximately three miles west of Hardwick.
When Rock County Law Enforcement arrived at the scene, Robert Trepanier, Brighton, Colo., was walking toward his abandoned vehicle.
According to the report filed at the Rock County Courthouse, a Rock County resident had been driving past the scene of the accident when he noticed a man on the road, who was later identified as Trepanier. The resident stopped and asked if he was all right. After receiving no response, the resident became alarmed and drove past Trepanier, who then grabbed the rear spoiler of the resident's vehicle and ripped it off the trunk.
Trepanier was arrested and consented to a search of his vehicle. Rock County Law Enforcement found various syringes as well as a spoon with methamphetamine in it.
He is charged with two counts: first, controlled substance crime in the fifth degree, which has a maximum sentence of a $10,000 fine, imprisonment for not more than five years, or both; and, second, criminal damage to property, which has a maximum sentence of a $1,000 fine, 90 days in jail, or both.
Number 2
On May 23, Rock County Law Enforcement with the assistance of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension searched the home of Marcus Wilson, Luverne.
According to the report, Law Enforcement obtained a search warrant after finding probable cause that drugs would be found in Wilson's home.
The report listed a number of items found in Wilson's home including approximately 100 baggies, one of which contained 2.2 grams of crack cocaine, a scale commonly used to weigh controlled substances and additional empty baggies found behind a dresser, a handgun, a plate containing residue that looked like crack cocaine and approximately $900 in U.S. cash.
Wilson was arrested, questioned, and charged with controlled substance crime in the fifth degree and unlawful possession of a firearm. The maximum sentence for fifth degree controlled substance is five yearsÕ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. The maximum sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm is one year in jail, a fine of $3,000, or both. Wilson is awaiting his next court date.
Number 3
On May 28, Lon Syhavong, Worthington, and Tina Dillon, Sioux Falls, S.D., were traveling to Worthington on Interstate 90 through Rock County and were pulled over by Minnesota State Trooper Jeffery Stearns because of a broken taillight.
According to the report, after a consented search, Stearns found methamphetamines in the car that totaled 9.4 grams.
Syhavong is being charged with controlled substance crime in the second degree, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment, a fine not more than $500,000, or both. Dillon, the passenger, is charged with controlled substance crime in the third degree, with a maximum sentence of 20 yearsÕ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.
Methamphetamines
According to the 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, an estimated 4.9 million people (2.3 percent of the population) have tried methamphetamine at some time in their lives. In 1994, the estimate was 3.8 million (1.8 percent), and in 1995 it was 4.7 million (2.2 percent).
Methamphetamines are synthetic amphetamines or stimulants that are produced and sold illegally in pill form, capsules, powder, and chunks. Two such methamphetamines are crank and ice.
Crank refers to any form of methamphetamine. Ice is a crystallized, smokeable chunk form of methamphetamine that produces a more intense reaction than cocaine or speed. Ice has an appearance that is clear and crystal-like and looks like actual ice.
Methamphetamines stimulate the central nervous system, and the effects may last anywhere from eight to 24 hours. Crank and ice are forms of meth that are extremely addictive and produce a severe craving for the drug.
A meth lab near you?
Many people may be unaware that they're living near a meth lab. Here are some things to look for:
oUnusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
oResidences with windows blacked out.
oRenters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade exclusively in cash.)
oLots of traffic - people coming and going at unusual times. There may be little traffic during the day, but at night the activity increases dramatically.
oExcessive trash including large amounts of items such as: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.
oUnusual numbers of clear glass containers being brought into the home.
Call the Rock County Law Enforcement Center at 283-5000 to report illegal activity.