TWIN VALLEY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Twin Valley man faces four felony charges after allegedly admitting to smoking methamphetamine while driving home from work.
Investigators say his route took him past Norman County East School while a methamphetamine pipe was inside his vehicle.
Gary Lee Mendez, 48, of Twin Valley, is charged with third-degree drug possession, first-degree DWI, and two fifth-degree drug possession offenses.
Probation Search Leads to Investigation
According to the criminal complaint, authorities conducted a probation search at Mendez’s Twin Valley residence on October 7, 2026.
Norman County sheriff’s deputies and a task force officer assisted Tri-County Community Corrections probation officials.
During the visit, probation officials found Mendez sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked inside his garage.
According to court documents, Mendez appeared slow to respond.
Probation officials requested assistance from responding officers.
Mendez reportedly told investigators he had been sleeping because he was tired.
Driver Allegedly Admits Smoking Meth
During questioning, Mendez allegedly admitted that he had been smoking methamphetamine.
He reportedly told investigators he had smoked meth while driving home from work earlier that day.
Officers discovered a suspected methamphetamine pipe on the vehicle’s floorboard.
Mendez denied using methamphetamine after arriving home, according to the complaint.
Investigators collected the pipe and a nearby cellphone as evidence.
Methamphetamine Allegedly Found Inside Home
Investigators also searched Mendez’s residence as part of the probation search.
According to court documents, Mendez told officers they would find methamphetamine underneath his mattress.
Investigators located a bag containing suspected methamphetamine in that location.
A second bag of suspected methamphetamine was discovered near a television stand in the main bedroom.
Officers also collected a digital scale containing white residue.
Preliminary testing indicated the suspected substances and residue contained methamphetamine.
Mendez provided a urine sample, which also reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine during preliminary testing.
School Surveillance Shows Vehicle Passing
Investigators examined Mendez’s reported driving route from Halstad to Twin Valley.
Mendez allegedly admitted traveling along Norman County Highway 27, County Highway 49, and Main Avenue West.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage from Norman County East School.
The video reportedly showed Mendez’s vehicle passing the school at approximately 5:31 p.m.
According to the complaint, Main Avenue West runs directly alongside the school property.
Prosecutors allege the methamphetamine pipe was inside his vehicle while he traveled through the school zone.
Previous Felony DWI Conviction Cited
The complaint states Mendez previously received a first-degree DWI conviction in Polk County case 60-CR-22-379.
Investigators reported that Mendez was on supervised release for that conviction when the October incident occurred.
The complaint also references a previous fifth-degree controlled substance conviction connected to the same court case.
Four Felony Charges Filed
Mendez faces four felony counts in Norman County District Court.
Count 1: Third-degree possession of methamphetamine in a school zone under Minnesota Statute 152.023.
This charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Count 2: First-degree DWI involving a controlled substance under Minnesota Statute 169A.24.
The maximum sentence is seven years in prison, a $14,000 fine, or both.
Counts 3 and 4: Fifth-degree controlled substance possession under Minnesota Statute 152.025.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The case is filed under Norman County District Court number 54-CR-26-316.
The charges remain allegations. Mendez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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