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Crime

Brainerd Hotel Party Leads to Underage Alcohol Charge

A Milaca man faces a gross misdemeanor after police investigated a Brainerd hotel party involving minors and an unresponsive 20-year-old who needed medical attention.

Devin Gregory Meixell, 22, of Milaca, is charged with furnishing alcoholic beverages to someone under 21.
Devin Gregory Meixell, 22, of Milaca, is charged with furnishing alcoholic beverages to someone under 21.

BRAINERD, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Milaca man faces a gross misdemeanor charge following an investigation into an underage drinking party at a Brainerd hotel.

Devin Gregory Meixell, 22, of Milaca, is charged with furnishing alcoholic beverages to someone under 21.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Crow Wing County District Court, police investigated after finding an unresponsive 20-year-old man inside a hotel room.

Police Respond to Hotel Party

On May 24, 2026, at approximately 12:03 a.m., Brainerd police responded to Quality Inn & Suites at 2115 South 6th Street.

A woman had called requesting assistance after becoming uncomfortable at a gathering in Room 228.

She told police an acquaintance had picked her up in Moorhead and brought her to Brainerd.

According to the complaint, several people were inside the hotel room, including a 15-year-old minor.

The woman denied drinking alcohol and showed no signs of impairment.

Officers Find Unresponsive 20-Year-Old

While investigating the gathering, officers noticed a young man lying beneath blankets inside the hotel room.

Police attempted to wake him but received little response.

According to court documents, the 20-year-old man’s eyes were rolled back, and saliva was coming from his mouth.

Officers called North Ambulance and placed him in a recovery position.

Police also observed a box of Smirnoff ICE beverages beneath a desk.

The man’s girlfriend reportedly told police he had experienced a serious alcohol-related medical incident approximately two weeks earlier.

The complaint does not establish the cause of his unresponsive condition or describe his final medical outcome.

Devin Gregory Meixell, 22, of Milaca, is charged with furnishing alcoholic beverages to someone under 21.
Devin Gregory Meixell, 22, of Milaca, is charged with furnishing alcoholic beverages to someone under 21.

Investigators Trace Alcohol to Liquor Store

During questioning, witnesses provided information about who allegedly brought alcohol to the room.

One witness reported that a woman and another man had returned with boxes of Smirnoff ICE.

Other individuals reportedly told police the woman brought alcohol into the room and distributed it to minors.

Police arrested that woman and transported her to the Crow Wing County Jail.

The following afternoon, investigators visited Cornerstone Liquor in Brainerd to review surveillance footage.

Surveillance Video Allegedly Shows Purchase

According to the complaint, security video from approximately 8 p.m. May 23 showed Meixell and the woman at the register.

The two reportedly placed a case of Smirnoff ICE Red White and Blue and a case of Busch beer on the counter.

Both individuals appeared to provide identification to the cashier.

Investigators reported that Meixell appeared to pay for the alcoholic beverages.

The pair then left the register carrying the alcohol.

The footage described in the complaint shows the apparent purchase. It does not independently show Meixell handing alcohol to a minor.

Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Meixell under Minnesota Statute 340A.503, subdivision 2(1).

The statute prohibits selling, furnishing, or giving alcoholic beverages to anyone younger than 21, subject to specified exceptions and defenses.

The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 340A.702.

A conviction carries a maximum possible penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Crow Wing County Court Case

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 18-CR-26-2958.

The criminal complaint lists a summons for Meixell.

The charge stems from the investigation of the May 23–24 hotel gathering.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Meixell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

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