POLK COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Benjamin John Steinberger, 49, waived his omnibus hearing on Thursday, November 21st, and pleaded not guilty to three drug-related crimes in Polk County. The charges against him include felony first-degree sale of a controlled substance, felony second-degree possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired.
According to court documents, Steinberger was arrested in July after being pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Crookston. Law enforcement determined that he was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest. A urine sample taken later tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC.
Police alleged that they found bags and containers with substances that appeared to be drugs during their search of Steinberger’s vehicle. Field tests came back positive for methamphetamine and cocaine. The suspected methamphetamine weighed approximately 40 grams, including its packaging, while the suspected cocaine weighed around 6.4 grams.
Steinberger’s next hearing is scheduled for January 21st at 9 a.m., which will be a pre-trial proceeding.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me