Thief River Falls Man Gets 28 Months in Meth Case

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Travis Bruce Johnson was sentenced to prison for two felony drug-related offenses.

Johnson, of Thief River Falls, received 28 months for possessing substances with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

He also received 17 months for storing chemical substances near a child or vulnerable adult.

The 17-month sentence will run at the same time as the 28-month sentence.

Johnson must provide a DNA sample and pay $135 in fees and fines for the first offense.

He must also pay a $50 fine for the second offense.

Investigation Focused on Meth Precursors

The case began after investigators learned Johnson allegedly possessed several possible methamphetamine precursors on July 6.

According to the complaint, those items included methanol, isopropyl alcohol, butane fuel, kerosene, camp fuel, and drain cleaner.

Many of those products also have common household uses.

However, authorities said they can also be used during methamphetamine production.

Surveillance video showed Johnson buying drain cleaner at Walmart, according to the complaint.

He allegedly paid with cash taken from a large stack of $100 bills.

Travis Bruce Johnson

Authorities searched Johnson’s home, garage, and vehicle on July 7.

The residence was at Sherwood Park Townhomes in Thief River Falls.

The complaint noted a shared playground outside the multi-unit residential building.

Inside the apartment, authorities found what they described as a methamphetamine ingredients list.

The list was found inside a bathroom vanity.

Two masks were also found there.

Police found a digital scale and glass pipe in the living room.

Both tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

Zip-top bags were also found inside the residence.

Investigators reported finding a five-gallon bucket containing a wet chemical substance inside Johnson’s garage.

The material had a strong chemical odor, according to the complaint.

Authorities believed it could be connected to methamphetamine production.

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

Investigators also found several chemicals, matches, batteries, fuel, and other products inside the garage.

Additional items were found inside Johnson’s vehicle.

The complaint said several items could be used as methamphetamine manufacturing ingredients.

The complaint listed previous Pennington County drug convictions from 2021 and 2022.

Minnesota Statute 152.0262 covers possession of substances with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

Minnesota Statute 152.137 addresses meth-related chemicals around children and vulnerable adults.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.