Becker County, MN – Ryan Lee Schmidt, 44, of Minneapolis, has been sentenced in Becker County District Court to 88 months in prison following his arrest for felony second-degree drug possession and gross misdemeanor DWI.
Case Summary
Date of Incident: October 25, 2024
Traffic Stop: Schmidt was pulled over on Brandy Lake Road for a non-working license plate light.
Signs of Impairment: Field sobriety tests showed multiple indicators of impairment, leading to his arrest.
Illegal Firearm: A Ruger handgun was found between the passenger seat and center console, loaded with hollow-point ammunition.
Bulletproof Vest: A black ballistic vest (threat level 2) capable of stopping 9mm and .357 magnum rounds was found in a black backpack behind the driver’s seat.
Hidden Drugs: A Pringles can with a false bottom contained 17.64 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine inside a plastic baggie.
Prior Convictions: Schmidt had felony burglary (2022) and domestic assault by strangulation (2014) on his record.
Refused Urine Test at Jail: Initially agreed, then later refused.
Dropped Charges in Plea Agreement
Felon in possession of a gun Committing a crime while possessing a bullet-resistant vest Additional gross misdemeanor DWI charge
Sentencing Details
Judge: Michelle Lawson
Sentence: 88 months (7 years, 4 months) in St. Cloud Prison
Jail Credit: 96 days served
Fines: $50 + $85 in court fees
Schmidt’s driving privileges were already canceled as inimical to public safety, further compounding his legal troubles.
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I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News