Twin Valley (trfnews.i234.me) — A Winger man is facing a felony firearm charge in Norman County District Court.
Michael Gene Oppegard Jr. is charged with unlawful possession of ammunition or a firearm.
The case is filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District under court file 54-CR-26-114.
The charge stems from an April 16, 2026, investigation in Twin Valley.
Report Of Firearm Concern
According to the complaint, law enforcement was dispatched after a firearm-related report.
Authorities were told a person was coming to Norman County with a sawed-off shotgun.
The complaint says the reported purpose was to resolve a dispute with another person.
Deputies later located a white vehicle with a black door panel.
The vehicle was found at Southview Apartments in Twin Valley.
Authorities conducted surveillance at the apartment complex.
The complaint says Oppegard was seen walking with a female toward another vehicle.
Later, Oppegard was seen returning to the white vehicle.
Authorities said he entered the passenger side and retrieved an item.
Michael Gene Oppegard Jr.
Storage Unit Searched
The complaint says Oppegard then walked to the storage units at the apartment complex.
He and the female later left the complex in the white vehicle.
A traffic stop was conducted after they left, according to court records.
Oppegard denied having a firearm.
He also allegedly stated he was a felon and could not have a gun.
Oppegard denied going to resolve a dispute with the other person.
A female in the vehicle told authorities the dispute involved a drug transaction.
She said it involved an attempted purchase of gabapentin.
She also said she did not believe Oppegard intended to harm anyone.
Short-Barrel Shotgun Found
Authorities later contacted a resident linked to the storage unit.
The resident allowed law enforcement to enter the unit.
The complaint says deputies found a shotgun inside.
The barrel was listed at about 16 3/4 inches.
The resident told authorities he had not seen the shotgun before.
He also said the shotgun was not his, according to the complaint.
Oppegard is charged under Minnesota Statute 624.713.
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
It also carries a possible $10,000 fine, or both.
The complaint says Oppegard has a prior felony conviction from May 21, 2025.
That conviction involved second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
The complaint says he was on supervised probation at the time.
The charge is only an accusation at this stage.
Oppegard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More case information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.