Moorhead Woman Sentenced in Otter Tail Drug Case
Otter Tail County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A Moorhead woman has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison following a major drug possession case in rural New York Mills, Minnesota.
According to court records, 40-year-old Jennifer Lee Riepe was sentenced on October 10 to 58 months in the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee after pleading guilty to second-degree drug possession.
The case began in May when an Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Sergeant conducted a traffic stop after seeing Riepe using her phone while driving. The Sergeant said Riepe continued driving onto multiple roads before eventually pulling into the public access parking lot at Rush Lake.
Riepe was placed under arrest for fleeing. During a search of her car, deputies found 53.3 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, Ziploc baggies, and $875 in cash. Investigators said the items were consistent with drug distribution.
Riepe reportedly told deputies she did not stop right away because she was scared and knew she did not have a valid driver’s license. Prosecutors initially charged her with first-degree sale of drugs, second-degree possession, and fifth-degree possession, and fleeing a peace officer.
As part of a plea deal reached in July, Riepe pleaded guilty to second-degree drug possession, and the remaining charges were dismissed.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that methamphetamine remains a major threat in the region and encourages anyone with information about drug activity to contact law enforcement.
For more information about Minnesota’s controlled substance laws and penalties, visit the Minnesota Statutes on Controlled Substance Crimes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
