Thief River Falls Man Faces Two Drug Felonies

THIEF RIVER FALLS (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man faces two felony drug charges following a probation search in March.

Jesse Mark Alan Wheeler, 36, is charged in Pennington County District Court. The complaint includes third-degree and fifth-degree methamphetamine possession charges.

The charges are allegations. Wheeler is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Probation Search Leads to Discovery

According to the complaint, a probation officer sought help locating Wheeler on March 27, 2026.

An investigator found Wheeler’s vehicle at a Thief River Falls residence. Wheeler later drove to his home on Crocker Avenue North.

The probation officer then met Wheeler outside the home. Wheeler reportedly said he would test positive for methamphetamine.

Authorities searched the home under Wheeler’s probation conditions. The complaint says Wheeler handed over a small metal tube.

An investigator opened the tube and found a crystal-like substance. A field test reportedly indicated the substance was methamphetamine.

Laboratory Reports Methamphetamine

The substance was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

A laboratory report dated June 1 identified 0.242 grams of methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

More information about the agency is available through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The complaint states Wheeler’s home is about 276 feet from Old Englestad Park.

That distance led prosecutors to file a third-degree possession charge involving a park zone.

Two Felony Charges Filed

The park-zone charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 152.023.

The complaint lists a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. Both penalties could also apply.

The second charge alleges fifth-degree methamphetamine possession under Minnesota Statute 152.025.

That charge carries a listed maximum of five years in prison. It also carries a possible $10,000 fine.

The case is filed as 57-CR-26-396 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Prior convictions listed in the complaint include drug, impaired-driving, and driving-after-cancellation offenses.

Those earlier convictions do not establish guilt in the current case.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.