Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — A cocaine overdose call in Crookston led to new felony drug charges. A mother and son from Fertile are now charged. A Crookston man is also charged.
The overdose report starts the case
Investigators say a woman overdosed on Feb. 2 at a Crookston residence. She was taken to RiverView Health for care. Lab tests later showed cocaine in her system.
Search at Crookston home
Court papers say a search warrant was served at the Crookston home of Alex Oliver Lee Kaiser, 38. Officers reported finding about 518 grams of suspected cocaine. They also reported MDMA, LSD, mushrooms, and marijuana. Officers also seized firearms and more than $1,300 in cash.
Investigators say Kaiser told them he bought about one pound of cocaine for $19,000. He said he used the same supplier for two to three years. He admitted to selling cocaine and other drugs, authorities said. He said he made $15,000 to $50,000 per year.
Search points to Fertile pair
Investigators say phone messages showed talks with a contact saved as “Darla.” On Feb. 4, deputies searched a Fertile home tied to Darla Rae Donaldson, 62. They also investigated her son, Chase William Donaldson, 28.
Officers reported finding about 72 grams of suspected cocaine in Mason jars. They also reported marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and a digital scale. Officers also seized firearms and ammunition.
Statements to investigators
Darla Donaldson told investigators she gave Kaiser $5,000 about three weeks earlier. She said the money was for a large cocaine buy. She said she picked up cocaine at Kaiser’s residence. She said she used cocaine for cancer pain. She denied selling it to others.
Authorities say Chase Donaldson arrived during the search. He told investigators he delivered cocaine from Kaiser to his mother. He said it happened five to six times in the past year. He said amounts ranged from two grams to one ounce. He said the largest was several “8-balls” in December 2025.
Court papers say both Donaldsons tested positive for cocaine. Court papers also say Chase Donaldson later faced a firearms gross misdemeanor charge. He also faces a misdemeanor DWI charge.
Charges and possible penalties
Court records say Darla and Chase Donaldson each face three first-degree controlled substance charges. The counts include sale, possession, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Court records say Kaiser faces two first-degree controlled substance charges. He also faces a third-degree controlled substance sale count. He also faces a gross misdemeanor firearms charge.
Under Minnesota law, first-degree controlled substance crimes can carry up to 30 years in prison. They can also carry up to a $1 million fine. You can review the statute here: Minn. Stat. 152.021.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked the case with the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force. Public case entries can be searched at Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.