Thief River Falls Man Faces Witness Threat, Drug Charges

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A Thief River Falls man faces two felony charges after allegedly threatening someone he believed had provided information to police.

Cody Lee Wendell, 34, is charged with felony witness tampering and fifth-degree controlled substance possession in Pennington County District Court.

The charges follow an investigation into threatening messages and an October 29, 2026, arrest that led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine.

Threatening Messages Spark Investigation

According to the criminal complaint, investigators received screenshots of threatening text messages on October 23.

The messages allegedly came from Wendell and questioned whether the recipient had provided information about a crime.

One message warned that people would learn where the recipient lived.

During a recorded telephone conversation, Wendell allegedly accused the individual of informing on someone he knew.

He also reportedly suggested there would be consequences if his suspicions were correct.

The recipient later told investigators the statements were threatening and caused concern for his family’s safety.

On October 29, the individual reported receiving another call from a restricted number. The caller allegedly said they knew his address.

Police Arrest Wendell in Thief River Falls

Later that day, investigators spotted Wendell riding a longboard westbound on 8th Street near Davis Avenue.

Officers stopped him near the Cenex convenience store and placed him under arrest.

During a search, police reportedly discovered a small plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance.

The bag was inside a black zippered container, along with money, cigarettes, and a small gold-colored bowl.

Investigators said the substance tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine.

The bag and its contents weighed approximately 4.4 grams, including the packaging.

The complaint also references a previous controlled substance conviction from 2023.

Suspect Questioned About Alleged Threats

Following his arrest, Wendell was transported to the Pennington County Law Enforcement Center for questioning.

According to the complaint, Wendell acknowledged making comments during the earlier conversation but disputed some of the reported statements.

He reportedly acknowledged that his remarks could have been interpreted as threatening.

Investigators also questioned Wendell about the suspected methamphetamine discovered during the search.

He reportedly acknowledged the substance was likely methamphetamine.

Two Felony Charges Filed

Wendell faces the following charges:

Felony Witness Tampering: Minnesota Statute 609.498.1(f).
Felony Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Possession: Minnesota Statute 152.025.2(a)(1), with a prior drug conviction enhancement.

Each charge carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 57-CR-26-766.

All charges remain allegations. Wendell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

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