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Category: Drug Crimes

Underage Drinking and Driving and Drunken Gummi Bears

The Star Tribune today updated an underage drinking story we recently blogged on. Apparently, as we earlier reported, teenagers have been taking the classic candy Gummi Bears and soaking them in Vodka or other alcohol in order to get drunk surreptitiously or “under the radar.” Many prosecutors and police are now warning teachers and other to be on the lookout for kids getting drunk by eating vodka-infused Gummy Bears or other similar candy.

List reveals southeast Minnesota priests accused of sex crimes

Victims of sexual abuse in the church have been trying to get lists of accused priests published for years. Recently, the Diocese of Winona came forward with a list naming 14 priests that may have been involved in the sexual abuse of minors. The list was submitted to a district court in Ramsey County just one day prior to a judge’s established deadline. The formation of the list was part of a judicial order that required Minneapolis and St. Paul churches to release a similar list earlier in the month. That list named 34 priests.

Garrison resident sentenced to over 3 years for drug crimes

A Crow Wing district court sentenced a central Minnesota man to 44 months in prison for possessing over three grams of a controlled substance. He received a second sentence of 39 months for selling narcotics, but the sentences will be served concurrently in the St. Cloud correctional facility, meaning that he will only serve a total of 44 months for both drug charges. During the sentencing, the 26-year-old man received credit for previous time spent in prison.

US Supreme Court issues decision in case involving drug-sniffing dogs

Protecting the right of people to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures is at the heart of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Minnesota mirrors the protections of the Fourth Amendment in article I, section 10 of the state constitution. State and federal courts frequently must decide if evidence seized by law enforcement officers and used to prove criminal charges violates the Minnesota and federal constitutional protections.

Fair Sentencing Act Starting Point for Federal Drug Sentencing Reform

It took more than a decade to change one of the biggest inequalities in U.S. drug sentencing laws: the 100 to 1 ratio sentencing disparity for federal crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. Prior to the passage of the Fair Sentencing Act on August 3, 2010, those convicted of trafficking as little as five grams of crack cocaine received a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison. The sentence doubled to 10 years for those with 10 grams in their possession.

Welfare recipients with past drug charges must take drug tests

People that have been convicted of drug crimes and are also receiving benefits from the state are now required to comply with drug tests according to a law passed by the Minnesota Legislature last year. St. Louis County officials have now begun strictly enforcing the law, which replaces the “self-reporting” system that was in place prior to its passing. The new law requires the state court administrator to provide its list of convicted drug felons to the Department of Human Services.

Is selling heroin the same thing as murder?

When someone chooses to take a drug, should anyone other than that individual be held responsible if he or she is caught? That is a question that not many of us ask ourselves, but it is one that prosecutors certainly asked the court in a recent drug case. In any other situation, a 30-year-old Minneapolis man accused of selling heroin would be facing drug charges, but because the heroin was used in a fatal overdose, he was recently convicted of third-degree murder.

The fallout of online drug sales raises questions

There are likely many people in Minneapolis who have heard the name Silk Road and they know it is not referring to the Central Asian trade route. Silk Road has been an online marketplace in which drug sellers and buyers could transact their business. For the past two years, the FBI has been looking for the individual behind the website and they have finally arrested the man they believe to be responsible. So, what does that mean for Minnesotans?

Odd congressional partnership tackles federal sentencing

Last month we talked about Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that the Obama administration was working toward reducing and eliminating draconian sentecing, often caused by mandatory minimum sentences. Especially prevalent with federal drug crimes, nonviolent, first-time offenders are sent to prison for years. For one woman serving time in Waseca, her mother questions why her sentence had to be so long.

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