On March 4, 2026, Winona County Sheriff's Office detectives were parked outside of Matthew Paul King's [DOB REDACTED] residence. King had been the subject of an ongoing controlled substance investigation since early February, 2026, and detectives had previously conducted a controlled purchase. During the purchase, King was an occupant in a vehicle suspected of transporting narcotics for sale. On March 4, King was observed operating the suspect vehicle leaving his known address, and was traveling towards Rochester, Minnesota.
Detective Herman and Bottcher had a signed search warrant for the vehicle. Detective Bottcher initiated a traffic stop for expired registration near Marion Road SE, within Rochester, in Olmsted County, Minnesota. King was instructed to exit the vehicle. An initial search of King's person, pursuant to the search warrant, revealed nothing of evidentiary value. A search of the vehicle located a digital scale with white powder residue, multiple cell phones, and several pieces of burnt tin foil. A blue winter coat was located in the vehicle.
The coat contained four pills identified as clonazepam, a schedule 4 controlled substance. The vehicle was impounded for further search. In addition to the pills, officers found 17.5g (with packaging) of a substance that field tested positive for fentanyl and 4.4g (without packaging) of a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. The fentanyl was packaged in four small plastic baggies. The methamphetamine was packaged in two small plastic baggies. The substances were located in a sleeve pocket of the blue jacket, along with empty small baggies with a powdery residue.
The presence of a digital scale, the individually packaged narcotics, the empty baggies with residue, multiple cell phones, and the prior buy in which King was an occupant in the vehicle suspected of transporting large quantities of controlled substances is indicative of possession with intent to sell/distribute. Possession with intent to sell/distribute constitutes sale under Minn. Stat. 152.01.15a. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA 3 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 3/5/2026 STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
