Thief River Falls Man Charged in Major Meth Trafficking Case
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man has been charged with first-degree aiding and abetting the sale of methamphetamine after a series of undercover drug buys linked him to more than 37 grams of meth sold over one week in May 2025.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Pennington County District Court, Bobby Vinton Peralta, 49, faces a felony count of aiding and abetting a controlled substance crime in the first degree — sale. The charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The investigation, conducted by the Northwest Minnesota Task Force, began on April 29, 2025, when undercover officers purchased methamphetamine from Feather Jo Arlett Garfve at the Riverview Trailer Court in Thief River Falls. Garfve reportedly obtained the drugs from residences associated with Tristian Comstock and Peralta.
On May 1 and again on May 7, 2025, investigators arranged further undercover buys. Garfve told the officer her “homeboy” — later identified as Peralta — would handle the exchange. Peralta allegedly met the undercover officer at trailer #921 and delivered packages of meth hidden inside cigarette boxes, taking $500 in prerecorded task force funds each time.
Each transaction was recorded through an audio surveillance device, and field tests confirmed the substances were methamphetamine. Lab results from the Minnesota BCA confirmed the sales totaled approximately 38 grams of meth across multiple deals.
During the final operation on May 16, 2025, law enforcement arrested Garfve, who was found with additional methamphetamine concealed on her person. Investigators determined Peralta had acted as her supplier and direct participant in the sales.
Court records show Peralta has a lengthy criminal history, including prior felony convictions for check forgery, electronic solicitation of a minor, and predatory offender registration violations.
Peralta is scheduled to appear in Pennington County District Court on the felony charge. The case remains under investigation.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
