Richard Lee Washington, 72, is charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance.<\/p>\n
The complaint was filed in Becker County District Court under case number 03-CR-26-1272.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors allege Washington helped possess at least 10 grams of a narcotic drug.<\/p>\n
The substance was identified in the complaint as cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.<\/p>\n
Investigators Tracked May Trip<\/h2>\n
According to the complaint, investigators began examining alleged drug activity in late 2025.<\/p>\n
Authorities previously reported finding cocaine with Washington during two separate incidents.<\/p>\n
Laboratory testing identified about 6.4 grams from a December 2025 seizure.<\/p>\n
Testing also identified about 5.4 grams from a January 2026 seizure.<\/p>\n
Washington later told investigators he received cocaine from a man known as \u201cChuck,\u201d the complaint states.<\/p>\n
A confidential informant later alleged Washington sold cocaine in quantities ranging from an eight-ball to one ounce.<\/p>\n
The informant also claimed Washington received cocaine from Charles Hughes Sr., according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Investigators obtained a warrant to track Hughes\u2019 phone using location data.<\/p>\n On May 19, the phone traveled toward the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, the complaint states.<\/p>\n Surveillance video allegedly showed Hughes carrying a black backpack into Washington\u2019s red Ford Escort.<\/p>\n Officers later watched the vehicle return toward Detroit Lakes on U.S. Highway 10.<\/p>\n Washington was driving, while Hughes was riding as a passenger, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Authorities stopped the vehicle and secured it while seeking a search warrant.<\/p>\n Washington allegedly said he dropped Hughes off before shopping at a grocery store.<\/p>\n He also said the backpack belonged to Hughes and was inside the vehicle before the trip.<\/p>\n A vehicle search was completed on May 20.<\/p>\n Investigators reported finding about 17 ounces of a substance inside the backpack.<\/p>\n The substance produced a positive field-test result for cocaine, the complaint states.<\/p>\n Washington is charged under Minnesota Statute 152.023<\/a>.<\/p>\n A conviction can bring up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n Case information can be reviewed through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Richard-Lee-Washington.png\")
Backpack Allegedly Held Cocaine<\/h2>\n
Charge Carries Possible Prison Term<\/h2>\n