Williams Man Charged After Baudette Meth Stop

LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A Williams man is facing a felony drug charge after a traffic stop near Baudette.

Scott Trent Lystad, 49, of Williams, is charged in Lake of the Woods County District Court. The charge is fifth-degree controlled substance possession.

The case was filed under court file number 39-CR-26-68. The alleged offense happened on May 15, 2026.

According to the criminal complaint, a Lake of the Woods County sheriff’s sergeant saw a white Chevy Impala on Highway 72. The vehicle was north of Carp and traveling at 58 mph.

The complaint says the driver appeared slumped down as the squad car passed. The vehicle later turned onto several roads near Carp and Baudette.

A deputy helped watch the vehicle before it was stopped after crossing the Baudette bridge.

Traffic Stop Leads To Search

Authorities identified the driver as Scott Trent Lystad. The complaint says Lystad was stopped for an item hanging from the rearview mirror.

Investigators also questioned him about his driving route. The complaint says his answers changed during the stop.

Lystad first said he was going to Holiday. He later said he was heading to an aunt’s home east of Baudette.

The complaint says Lystad also mentioned a friend’s home in Carp. He later said he had driven to Waskish to buy a frozen pizza.

Authorities reported seeing many items inside the vehicle. Those items included empty cans, tools, clothing, backpacks, and a wooden box.

Meth Found In Vehicle, Complaint Says

The complaint says Lystad was asked if anything illegal was in the vehicle. He allegedly said meth was in the driver’s door and in a black bag.

Authorities said they found baggies with white residue in the driver’s door. They also found two crystal rocks in a black bag under the driver’s seat.

A pill bottle in a jacket pocket also held two small plastic baggies. Those baggies contained a crystal substance, according to the complaint.

Investigators reported finding several empty baggies and glass smoking pipes. They also reported finding a butane torch, an asp baton, a machete, and a pellet gun.

The complaint says the suspected meth weighed 7.78 grams with packaging. A field test was positive for methamphetamine.

The substance will be sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory for testing. More information about the BCA is available through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.