Crookston, Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Crookston woman now faces two felony drug charges. The case follows a March 26 traffic stop in East Grand Forks. The charges were filed in Polk County District Court.
Raelyn Marie Peltier, 35, is charged with third-degree drug sales. She also faces a fifth-degree drug possession charge. Court records say the investigation covered March 23 through March 26. That period includes an alleged sale and a later traffic stop.
What the complaint says
The complaint says officers stopped a vehicle on U.S. Business Highway 2. Court records say the driver, Christopher Anthony Gaines, had an active warrant. Investigators said Peltier was a passenger in the vehicle.
The complaint says she later admitted hiding suspected methamphetamine inside her body. Authorities said the bag was recovered at the police department. A field test later showed a positive result for meth, according to the complaint.
Investigators said Peltier agreed to provide a urine sample. The complaint says part of that sample tested positive for meth. Officers also said she wanted to cooperate after reaching the station.
Alleged sale in Crookston
Investigators said Peltier later spoke with officers. She told them Gaines handed her the bag during the stop, the complaint says. She said she panicked and tried to hide it. She also said Gaines had been using meth recently.
Investigators also allege Peltier admitted one meth sale in Crookston. The complaint says the sale happened on March 23 at her home. According to the filing, she received $50 during that sale. Investigators said phone messages backed up that account.
Court records say officers searched one of her phones after consent was given. Those details are part of the probable cause statement. Authorities also said the travel route passed through park zones in East Grand Forks.
Possible penalties
The third-degree charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. It also carries a possible $250,000 fine. The fifth-degree charge carries a maximum sentence of five years. It also carries a possible $10,000 fine.
Charges are only allegations. Peltier is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Case details are listed under Polk County Court File No. 60-CR-26-399. Readers can review court records through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Minnesota drug laws are posted by the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.