Thief River Falls: Oklee Man Gets 42 Months

Thief River Falls, Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — An Oklee man was sentenced in district court on Feb. 17.

Court records say he helped with a cocaine sale to an undercover investigator in 2024.

Zachariah John Howard, 23, was sentenced for a felony drug sale case. The conviction involved aiding and abetting a first-degree controlled substance crime.

Sentence and court orders

The judge imposed 42 months in prison, according to court records. Howard was ordered to provide a DNA sample. He must pay $135 in fees and fines.

The court ordered a lifetime ban on firearms. The order also covers ammunition and explosives.

Readers can review Minnesota law on drug sales at Minnesota Statute 152.021. Aiding and abetting is covered by Minnesota Statute 609.05.

How the 2024 deal unfolded

The case started with a phone call on July 14, 2024, the complaint says. The undercover investigator contacted Rodney Arlan Smith. The investigator asked about buying one ounce of cocaine.

The complaint says Smith replied that he needed time. Two days later, Smith texted back with a price. The message offered cocaine for $2,000.

Smith later called and said he could not meet, the complaint says. He told the investigator that Howard would be there instead.

Court papers say Howard was present during an earlier cocaine deal. That earlier deal involved Smith and the same investigator.

Officers later met Smith behind South Town Lanes, Pizza & Pub, the complaint says. The spot was near storage units. The complaint says Smith first chose a city lot near Knight Avenue. Investigators say he then changed the meeting place.

The complaint says another undercover officer was present. Investigators say other officers watched from a distance. Howard’s pickup parked next to the undercover vehicle, the complaint says.

What officers say was said and done

Smith got into the undercover vehicle, according to the complaint. He allegedly talked about smaller drug sales. He also allegedly said bigger deals required meeting Howard.

Investigators say Smith and the undercover investigator then spoke with Howard. The complaint says Howard told them he handled larger amounts. Officers also say Howard drove Smith to drug deals.

Back in the undercover vehicle, Smith allegedly tossed a bag onto the console. The investigator counted out $2,000 in buy money, the complaint says. The cocaine later weighed 30.03 grams with packaging.

Arrests and the next day interview

Officers arrested Howard and Smith after the exchange, the complaint says. The next day, Howard spoke with officers, according to the complaint. He said he drove Smith to Thief River Falls.

Howard said he was asked to obtain cocaine, the complaint says. He said he received 28 grams. Investigators say he admitted it matched the cocaine sold.

Smith’s case is still moving through the court system, records show. Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Public case searches are available on Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Court location details are listed by Pennington County District Court.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.