Thief River Falls Man Faces Meth, Gun Charges
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A local man faces three felony charges in Pennington County.
Quentin Laurel Rasmussen, 48, is charged in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court. The case number is 57-CR-26-392.
The charges include first-degree methamphetamine sale and second-degree methamphetamine possession. Rasmussen also faces a firearm possession charge.
The complaint covers alleged conduct between June 1 and June 5, 2026. Prosecutors say the case began with messages about a possible methamphetamine sale.
Messages Led To Surveillance
A former confidential source contacted a drug task force officer on June 1. The source reported receiving messages allegedly sent by Rasmussen.
The messages discussed selling 14 ounces of methamphetamine for $4,000, according to the complaint. Investigators linked the phone number to Rasmussen.
Authorities later watched a gold GMC Yukon travel between Argyle and Thief River Falls. Records listed Rasmussen as the vehicle’s owner.
Investigators obtained a tracking warrant for Rasmussen’s phone on June 4. The source then arranged a meeting for June 5.
Traffic Stop And Vehicle Search
Officers stopped the Yukon near 13th Street and Greenhill Drive. The location was near the planned meeting place on Duluth Avenue.
A police dog alerted near the vehicle, the complaint states. Officers then searched the Yukon.
They allegedly found a bag of crystalline material inside a candy box. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
The package weighed about 47 grams on an uncertified scale. Testing by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was planned.
Officers also reported finding small bags and a digital scale. A loaded 9mm handgun was allegedly hidden beneath the cupholders.
Additional ammunition and another magazine were also found, according to the complaint.
Three Felony Counts Filed
The first count alleges first-degree drug sale under Minnesota Statute 152.021.
The second count alleges second-degree drug possession under Minnesota Statute 152.022.
The third count alleges illegal firearm possession under Minnesota Statute 624.713.
The most serious drug charge carries up to 40 years in prison. It also carries a possible $1 million fine.
The firearm count carries up to 15 years in prison. It also carries a possible $30,000 fine.
Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Rasmussen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Charges describe allegations and are not findings of guilt.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.