Pennington County, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—Brian Allen Torkelson, 34, of Thief River Falls, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime following a prior conviction. A separate felony charge related to methamphetamine crimes involving children was dismissed.
As part of his sentencing, Torkelson is prohibited from using or possessing firearms or dangerous weapons for life unless that right is restored. He is also required to provide a DNA sample and pay $210 in fees and fines.
The charges originated from a probation check conducted on August 7 at 130 Snetting Dr. According to the complaint, a probation officer had been informed that Torkelson was unconscious on a couch with hypodermic needles protruding from his pocket. Officers from the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force and Thief River Falls police sergeants responded to the residence, where they found Torkelson asleep on the couch. Upon waking, he appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
During a search, an officer observed Torkelson attempting to conceal two hypodermic needles, paper towels, and a contact lens case containing two wetted cotton balls. One needle contained a clear liquid that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. Law enforcement also seized a small bag with a crystal-like substance, which tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.6 grams with packaging.
The complaint noted that two children, aged 5 and 10, reside at the home.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me