Pennington County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Pennington County District Court. Prosecutors said he sold meth to a confidential informant three times in 2024.
Tanner Wayne Anderson, 26, was sentenced on a first-degree controlled substance sale charge. The court imposed 65 months in prison. The prison term was stayed for five years. That means he must follow probation rules. If he fails, he could serve the term.
The court also ordered 90 days in jail. Anderson can serve 45 days in custody. He can then serve 45 days on electronic home monitoring. He must pay for that monitoring. Court records say he has two weeks to set it up after release. He received five days of jail credit.
What the case alleged
The case started with a call on Jan. 19, 2024. The informant spoke with a Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force investigator. The informant said Anderson was offering to sell meth that day.
Later that night, the informant met Anderson near Seventh Street and State Avenue. The informant paid $160, the complaint said. The meth, with its bag, weighed 5.7 grams.
A second buy followed on Feb. 18, 2024. Investigators said Anderson again reached out about narcotics. The informant met him in an Arby’s parking lot. The informant paid $175. The meth, with the bag, weighed 3.8 grams.
A third deal was planned on March 5, 2024. The meet was first set near the Veterans of Foreign Wars post. The informant told police that Anderson became scared. The complaint says texts raised concern about police nearby. The deal was delayed.
The informant later set up another meet that night, the complaint said. Investigators said the informant paid $600 in an alley north of Main and LaBree avenues. The meth, with packaging, weighed 16 grams.
How police documented the buys
Authorities said each buy used controlled drug-buy funds. They also said each buy was recorded with audio and live transmit devices. After each exchange, the informant reviewed a photo lineup. The informant confirmed Anderson as the seller, the complaint said.
Court conditions
The court ordered Anderson to complete a full assessment within 60 days. He must follow the treatment and aftercare plan. He may also need a diagnostic review. The order also bars him from guns, ammo, and explosives for life. He must provide a DNA sample. He must also pay $260 in fees and fines.
More information
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
- Minnesota statute on first-degree controlled substance crime
- Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force
- Pennington County District Court
Anderson was later arrested, according to the complaint. He declined to speak with investigators without an attorney.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Yup need to be sent away . Theif river is so bad . Wouldn’t want to raise kids in this town.
Stayed sentence meaning no jail time
Holy crap!! Trf will never change I will never live there again
A stayed sentence on a first degree what the hell is that How in the hell does that even happen It’s an automatic prison sentence I never seen a state sentence on a first degree wow how does that happen who was his attorney I need that attorney I really need that attorney and I know it was a public defender I’m sure of it who in the hell is that public defender I want that public defender every time I get in trouble cuz boy they must be really good what It’s an automatic prison sentence.