Thief River Falls man faces two felony charges

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) Michael Allen Powell faces two felony charges in Pennington County.

Court records say police arrested Powell on January 26. The arrest happened at a Thief River Falls apartment. The complaint says the building is near a school. Prosecutors allege Powell had methamphetamine at the time.

What the complaint says

Police went to the apartment and took Powell into custody. Court records say officers searched during the arrest. Prosecutors allege they found methamphetamine in his possession. They also allege the apartment was in a school zone.

The complaint says Powell spoke with an officer after the arrest. It lists him as a registered predatory offender. Prosecutors say he admitted he did not update his registration paperwork.

Charges filed

Powell is charged with a felony for failing to comply with registration requirements. He is also charged with a felony for possessing meth in a school zone.

Court files list both counts as felony charges. A complaint is a charging document. The charges are accusations only. Powell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Background on the laws

Minnesota has rules for people who must register as predatory offenders. The rules can require updates after a move. They can also require notice before a move.

Minnesota also has drug-free zones near schools and parks. Drug charges can be higher in those areas. The complaint says this case involves a school zone.

How to follow the case

Court dates and filings may appear online. Readers can check Minnesota Court Records Online for updates. Legal texts are also public.

External resources

What comes next

Powell is expected to appear in Pennington County District Court. The case may include plea talks. It may also go to trial. Any sentence would be set after a conviction.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.