Thief River Falls Man Faces Meth-Making Charges

THIEF RIVER FALLS — (trfnews.i234.me) — A local man faces two felony charges tied to alleged methamphetamine production.

Travis Bruce Johnson, 27, was arrested after investigators searched his home, garage, and vehicle.

Johnson is charged with possessing substances intended for methamphetamine manufacturing. He also faces a charge involving chemical storage near a child or vulnerable adult.

The allegations are contained in a criminal complaint. Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Investigation Led to Search Warrant

The case began after investigators learned Johnson may have possessed several methamphetamine precursors on July 6.

Those items allegedly included methanol, isopropyl alcohol, butane fuel, kerosene, camp fuel, and drain cleaner.

Many of those products have common household uses. However, investigators said they can also be used during meth production.

Surveillance video allegedly showed Johnson buying drain cleaner at Walmart. The complaint said he paid with cash from a large stack.

Authorities executed a search warrant on July 7. The search covered his apartment, garage, and vehicle at Sherwood Park Townhomes.

The complaint noted that a shared playground sits outside the multi-unit housing complex.

Mugshot of Travis Bruce Johnson — Travis Bruce Johnson

Items Reported Inside Apartment

Investigators allegedly found a meth ingredient list inside a bathroom vanity. The list included common ingredients and possible prices.

Two masks were also found in the vanity, according to the complaint.

In the living room, authorities allegedly found a digital scale, glass pipe, and zip-top bags.

The scale and pipe produced presumptive positive results for methamphetamine, the complaint said.

Investigators also reported finding ammunition inside the apartment. The items included handgun rounds, shotgun shells, and mixed rifle ammunition.

Chemical Substance Found in Garage

Inside the garage, authorities allegedly found a five-gallon bucket containing a wet, chemical substance.

The substance had a strong odor. Investigators believed it could be a product or byproduct of meth manufacturing.

The material was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for laboratory analysis.

Other garage items allegedly included matches, rat poison, paint thinner, alcohol, acetone, butane fuel, acid, lye, and kerosene.

Investigators said several items are commonly linked to meth production. Some appeared ready to be used together.

A gas can, a butane cartridge, and 16 batteries were allegedly found inside Johnson’s vehicle.

Nine batteries reportedly had their labels removed.

Case Moves Through Court

The complaint also listed Johnson’s prior drug convictions from 2021 and 2022 in Pennington County.

Those prior cases do not prove the current allegations. Court updates may appear on the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.