Mahnomen stop leads to meth possession charge

Mahnomen, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — A traffic stop in Mahnomen ended with a felony drug charge.

Thomas Allen King, 48, of Nay Tah Waush, is charged with fifth-degree drug possession.

What the police say happened

The case stems from a stop on Main Street North on Feb. 5, 2026.

The stop happened around 6:41 p.m., according to the complaint.

Police say the SUV had a very loud exhaust.

The driver was Brandon Donavon White, the complaint says.

King was riding in the rear seat.

An officer reported seeing a hypodermic needle on King’s lap.

The complaint says the plunger was pulled back.

Dispatch then reported King had active warrants, the complaint states.

King was removed from the SUV and detained.

Officers then reported seeing a yellow paper bindle on the rear floor.

The complaint says it was near where King had been sitting.

Police seized the bindle and did a field test.

The complaint says it tested positive for methamphetamine.

Investigators reported about 0.3 grams, including packaging.

King faces one felony count of fifth-degree controlled substance possession.

Under Minnesota law, that charge can carry up to five years in prison.

Read the statute here: Minn. Stat. § 152.025.

The complaint also lists a prior felony fifth-degree drug conviction from 2022.

Judge Seamus P. Duffy signed a detention order, court records show.

Bail was set at $750 cash with conditions, or $7,500 bond.

King remained in custody pending further hearings.

The complaint says White showed signs of impairment during the stop.

It also says he admitted using heroin earlier that day.

Police arrested White, according to the complaint.

Investigators later sought a warrant for a blood sample.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.