Reyes Polendo is charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession and two gross misdemeanors.<\/p>\n
The additional charges involve refusing a court-ordered chemical test and driving after license cancellation.<\/p>\n
According to a Polk County criminal complaint, the incident occurred October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors also plan to seek an enhanced sentence based on Polendo’s extensive criminal history.<\/p>\n
Police Follow Vehicle From Fisher to Crookston<\/h2>\n
The investigation began when a Polk County deputy observed Polendo leaving his Fisher residence.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Polendo entered a black Pontiac Grand Prix and traveled east on U.S. Highway 2.<\/p>\n
The deputy confirmed that Polendo’s Minnesota driver’s license was canceled as inimical to public safety.<\/p>\n
Records showed the cancellation had been in effect since at least December 21, 2018.<\/p>\n
The deputy contacted Crookston police and provided information about the vehicle.<\/p>\n
A Crookston officer later spotted the Pontiac near U.S. Highways 2 and 75.<\/p>\n
Police followed as the vehicle turned south onto Highway 75.<\/p>\n
Traffic Violation Leads to Stop<\/h2>\n
According to court records, Polendo drove through an intersection without making a complete stop.<\/p>\n
The officer activated emergency lights after observing the violation near Old Highway 75 and Third Avenue South.<\/p>\n
However, the Pontiac continued onto Foskett Street before stopping in the middle of the block.<\/p>\n
Police approached the vehicle and identified Polendo as the driver and only occupant.<\/p>\n
Polendo reportedly acknowledged that he did not have a valid driver’s license.<\/p>\n
The officer also noticed Polendo had watery eyes.<\/p>\n
Police asked him to complete field sobriety tests, and he agreed.<\/p>\n
Following the tests, the officer suspected Polendo was under the influence of a controlled substance.<\/p>\n
Polendo was then arrested.<\/p>\n
Search Uncovers Suspected Methamphetamine<\/h2>\n
Police searched the Pontiac following the arrest.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, officers discovered a backpack on the front passenger seat.<\/p>\n
Inside the backpack, they found an expired prescription bottle bearing Polendo’s name.<\/p>\n
The bottle reportedly contained a tan-colored powder.<\/p>\n
An officer later conducted a field test on part of the substance.<\/p>\n
The test reportedly returned a positive result for amphetamine or methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
The criminal complaint does not provide a final laboratory confirmation or the substance’s weight.<\/p>\n
Polendo Allegedly Refuses Court-Ordered Test<\/h2>\n
After the arrest, police transported Polendo to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston.<\/p>\n
An officer obtained a search warrant authorizing the collection of a blood or urine sample.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, police informed Polendo about the warrant.<\/p>\n
Officers also warned him that refusing the required test was a crime.<\/p>\n
Polendo allegedly refused to provide either sample.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors subsequently filed a gross misdemeanor charge involving refusal to submit to chemical testing.<\/p>\n
Prior Convictions Cited in Court Documents<\/h2>\n
The criminal complaint details multiple previous convictions involving controlled substances and impaired driving.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors cite drug convictions dating back to 1996, including second-degree, fourth-degree, and fifth-degree controlled substance offenses.<\/p>\n
The complaint also identifies impaired driving convictions from 2018.<\/p>\n
Polendo was previously convicted of fifth-degree drug possession in July 2021.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors provided formal notice that they intend to seek an aggravated sentence.<\/p>\n
They argue that Polendo’s prior convictions could support a career-offender sentencing enhancement.<\/p>\n
Any enhanced sentence would require the applicable legal findings and court approval.<\/p>\n
Three Criminal Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
Polendo faces the following charges in Polk County District Court:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Count 1:<\/strong> Felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession, carrying a maximum of five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both.<\/li>\n
- Count 2:<\/strong> Gross misdemeanor refusal to submit to chemical testing, carrying up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/li>\n
- Count 3:<\/strong> Gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety, carrying up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These are maximum statutory penalties for the charged offenses, not sentences imposed by the court.<\/p>\n
Readers can review Minnesota’s fifth-degree controlled substance law<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Information about chemical test refusal<\/a> and driving after cancellation<\/a> is also available.<\/p>\n
Polk County Court Proceedings<\/h2>\n
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 60-CR-26-1454.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor’s file number is F-26-182.<\/p>\n
The supplied complaint does not establish a final court outcome.<\/p>\n
Additional information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The new charges remain allegations. Polendo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
- Count 2:<\/strong> Gross misdemeanor refusal to submit to chemical testing, carrying up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/li>\n
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