POLK COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A 38-year-old East Grand Forks man is facing a long list of felony drug charges after investigators said he sold meth near a high school and ran a large-scale drug operation involving more than 230 grams of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Ernest Leroy Farmer Jr. was charged on August 6 in Polk County District Court with multiple first- and second-degree controlled substance crimes. He was booked into the Northwest Regional Corrections Center on November 13.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison and fines reaching $1 million if he is convicted on the most serious counts.
Months-long investigation
The investigation began in December 2024. A confidential informant arranged to buy methamphetamine from Farmer, according to the criminal complaint. Over the next few months, undercover officers carried out six controlled drug buys totaling more than 130 grams of meth.
Two of those drug sales happened within 300 feet of East Grand Forks High School. Because the sales occurred so close to a school, prosecutors added enhanced felony charges.
The first controlled buy took place on December 5 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts parking lot. The informant paid $300 for about 7 grams of meth. Lab testing confirmed the substance contained methamphetamine.
Undercover officers purchased meth from Farmer again on January 15, January 22, January 31, February 4, and February 11. The final transaction involved 55.5 grams of meth for $2,000.
Search warrants uncover stash house
Farmer was arrested on February 11. Officers then executed search warrants at several locations. At Farmer’s home, they found drug paraphernalia and phone records.
A second location, described as a “stash house,” contained 94 grams of suspected meth, a digital scale, 79 Alprazolam pills, and more than $10,000 in cash. Two small children were inside the apartment during the search.
A woman who lived there told investigators she knew Farmer stored meth in the apartment and said she had gone with him on drug deals. Records show she received more than $29,000 from Farmer through CashApp.
Defendant describes weekly meth sales
During questioning, Farmer first denied selling meth in Minnesota. He later admitted to trading meth for Xanax pills. He claimed he was “forced” to sell drugs to repay a $30,000 debt.
He estimated that he purchased between one-quarter and one-half pound of meth each week. Investigators say a jail call on February 13 revealed further details. In the recorded call, Farmer said he had 50 grams of meth on him when arrested and another 50 grams stored at an apartment. He admitted selling about one-quarter pound of meth every week.
Prior convictions and next court date
Farmer has a criminal history in both Minnesota and North Dakota, including a 2020 felony drug conviction for possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He also has an active warrant for theft in Beltrami County.
Farmer made his first court appearance on November 14. His next hearing is scheduled for November 25 in Polk County District Court.
You can learn more about Minnesota drug laws through the state’s statute guide at revisor.mn.gov.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
