East Grand Forks, Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Forks man is charged in Minnesota. Court records list a felony drug count.
Jeremy Paul Kotaska, 48, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is charged. The count is Controlled Substance Crime in the Third Degree. The allegation is possession in a prohibited zone.
What the police say happened
According to a criminal complaint, the stop happened on January 21, 2026. The time was about 1:52 p.m. Police saw a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado at an apartment complex.
Investigators said the complex had prior drug calls. Police followed the truck as it left. They say it failed to stop at a stop sign.
Police stopped the truck near East Grand Forks Senior High School. The complaint says the stop was within about 300 feet. The truck pulled into the East Grand Forks Food Shelf parking lot.
Evidence reported in the truck
Police said Kotaska showed signs of long-term drug use. Police then searched the truck with consent. They reported finding a digital scale in the center console.
The complaint says the scale had residue. A field test reportedly showed methamphetamine. Police also reported finding a small baggie of marijuana.
The complaint also lists a debit card in another person’s name. Investigators described it as found during the search.
What Kotaska told investigators
After his arrest, Kotaska spoke with investigators, the complaint says. He reportedly admitted recent meth use. He also allegedly said he acted as a “middle man.”
Police say he claimed he delivered meth in the area. The complaint says he mentioned East Grand Forks and Grand Forks. The complaint also says he got the scale at a trailer.
The complaint states he was released from a North Dakota jail one day earlier. It says he faced new drug-related allegations in Minnesota.
Charges and court status
The case lists one felony count under Minnesota law. Readers can review the statute here: Minn. Stat. § 152.023.
Bail was set at $5,000, according to court records. The court also listed other bond options. Conditions included obeying laws and making court dates.
Kotaska remained in custody after the hearing, records indicate. The offense date is listed as January 21, 2026. The filing date is listed as January 23, 2026.
Charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent in court.
You can look up many Minnesota cases online at Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.