Grand Forks, ND (trfnews.i234.me)—A 38-year-old Grand Forks man is facing four felony drug charges following a controlled drug buy operation, during which he allegedly sold two ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer.
Suspect: Ernest Leroy Farmer Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota Date of Arrest: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 Court Appearance: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025
Drug Bust & Search Warrant Findings
Following Farmer’s arrest, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence, leading to the discovery of:
102.6 grams of methamphetamine (some packaged for sale) 79 Xanax (Alprazolam) pills $10,181 in cash A digital scale with residue
Authorities say the methamphetamine tested positive in a preliminary field test.
Children Found in Drug-Infested Home
Even more troubling, officers found two young children in the home—a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old.
Drugs were stored in the kitchen, mixed with food and baby items. The presence of young children in a drug-filled environment led to additional felony child neglect charges.
Felony Charges Against Farmer
Ernest Leroy Farmer is now facing the following four felony charges:
Class A Felony – Delivery of Methamphetamine (50+ grams)
Class A Felony – Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine (50+ grams)
Class C Felony – Child Neglect (Endangerment due to drug exposure)
Class C Felony – Possession with Intent to Deliver a Schedule IV Depressant (Xanax)
Legal Consequences & Next Steps
Farmer’s next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. on March 24, 2025, where he will face a preliminary hearing and/or arraignment.
If convicted, he could face decades in prison for the Class A felonies alone, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in North Dakota.
Law enforcement officials are urging the public to report suspected drug trafficking activities, especially when children’s safety is at risk.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me.