Cass Lake Man Faces Fentanyl, License Charges

Cass Lake (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake man faces two gross misdemeanor charges after an August 31 traffic stop.

Jerod Wesley Howard, 41, is charged in Cass County District Court.

Howard faces one count of fifth-degree controlled substance possession.

He also faces one count of driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety.

The case is filed under court number 11-CR-26-1307.

Traffic Stop Made In Cass Lake

According to the criminal complaint, authorities were patrolling Cass Lake on August 31.

An officer saw a silver Ford truck traveling south on 61st Avenue.

The driver was identified as Jerod Wesley Howard, according to the complaint.

Authorities checked Howard’s driving status and found his license was canceled.

The cancellation was listed as inimical to public safety.

A traffic stop was then conducted.

Howard told authorities he was traveling to a hospital because of an injury to his hand.

The complaint says swelling was visible near his thumb.

Howard was arrested after authorities confirmed his driving status.

Investigators searched the truck after the arrest, according to the complaint.

A small metal container was found on a seat near the driver’s position.

Inside the container was a plastic bag containing a white powder.

Investigators also found a folded paper packet containing another white powder.

The complaint says a field test on the second substance returned positive for fentanyl.

The substance weighed about 0.22 grams, according to court records.

The other powder tested negative for fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Authorities again checked Howard’s driver’s license following the search.

The complaint says the license remained canceled as inimical to public safety.

The drug charge falls under Minnesota Statute 152.025.

The complaint lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

The driving charge falls under Minnesota Statute 171.24.

That charge also carries up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

The complaint was filed with an order of detention in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

More court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

A criminal complaint contains allegations and does not establish guilt.

Howard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.