Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Robert Wayne Parker Jr. is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Pennington County District Court.
The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 57-CR-26-293.
Parker, 37, of St. Paul, is charged with third-degree controlled substance crime. He is also charged with obstructing arrest and theft.
The felony drug charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. It also carries a possible $250,000 fine.
The two misdemeanor charges each carry up to 90 days in jail. Each also carries a possible $1,000 fine.
Charges Filed In Pennington County
According to the criminal complaint, the charges stem from events on April 28 and April 29, 2026.
Court documents allege Parker possessed methamphetamine or amphetamine in a protected area. The complaint says that the area was a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment facility.
The complaint also alleges Parker resisted or interfered with law enforcement during an arrest.
The theft charge alleges Parker took property from another person or business without consent.
Robert Wayne Parker Jr.
Backpack And Spotlight Reported Found
According to the complaint, law enforcement stopped Parker near a Cenex gas station.
The complaint states Parker was directed out of the roadway and toward a sidewalk.
Authorities say Parker reached toward his pocket and did not follow commands.
The complaint says Parker was later arrested after he pulled away during a pat-down search.
At the Law Enforcement Center, authorities searched a backpack linked to Parker.
Inside, investigators reported finding a Milwaukee spotlight from Ace Hardware.
Court documents say Parker later admitted stealing the backpack and spotlight from Ace Hardware.
Residue Field-Tested Positive
Investigators also reported finding a red zippered case inside the backpack.
The complaint says the case held a clear pipe with burn residue.
It also allegedly held a plastic pen tube with residue.
Authorities said field testing showed the items were presumptively positive for methamphetamine.
The items are expected to be sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for further testing.
The complaint also states that the backpack was new and still had its tags attached.
A store complainant reported it had been set aside for another customer.
The criminal complaint also lists prior misdemeanor convictions for Parker.
Those include fifth-degree assault and fleeing a peace officer.
The charges are accusations. Parker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More information on Minnesota court records is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.