11/03/2002) is one of the listed registered owners. On January 12, 2026, Agents conducted a trash pull of the garbage from the residence and found a small corner-cut baggie that tested positive for the presence of cocaine and a blue zippered sandwich baggie that had a corner ripped out of it, indicating possible drug use. This baggie tested positive for cocaine. Agents also found additional drug paraphernalia and two boxes of firearm cartridges, which previously held 15 rounds each. Based upon this, Agent Hay applied for and was granted a search warrant for the residence at 824 5th Street SW in Willmar and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with Minnesota plate SCH457. On January 13, 2026, Agents conducted additional surveillance on the residence and observed numerous vehicles coming and going from the residence.
Agents positively identified RODRIGUEZ as being at the residence. Agents observed vehicles that were coming and going would park on the street and one or more occupants would go inside the residence. Within 10-15 minutes, the occupants would exit the residence and get back in their vehicles. At one point, RODRIGUEZ came out of the residence and placed an object in the mailbox near the east doorway. Approximately 5 to 10 minutes later, a vehicle pulled up, the occupant exited the vehicle and retrieved an item from the mailbox, and sped away from the residence.
Later that day, the Jeep left the residence around 7:30 P.M. Officer Van Dyken conducted a traffic stop on the Jeep to serve the search warrant. Officer Van Dyken spoke with the driver, identified as RODRIGUEZ. Officers were aware that RODRIGUEZ did not have a valid driver's license, and his driver's license was suspended in Minnesota. RODRIGUEZ admitted he did not have insurance on the Jeep. Officers served RODRIGUEZ with the search warrant. Agents Hennes and Siefkes searched the Jeep and found firearm magazines in the rear portion of the Jeep as well as ammunition from the magazines.
Additionally, Agents simultaneously executed the search warrant on the residence. In the main floor living room, Agent Davis searched the built-in shelving unit. In plain view on the shelf near a St. Jude figurine were multiple dollar bills, including the majority being $1 bills with a few higher bills included. Also in plain view on top of the shelving was a gold-colored digital scale that had a 3 34-CR-26-25 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/15/2026 white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.
Near the scale was a mailing for Manuel Rodriguez. Under the built-in shelving unit were several drawers and cabinets. In one of the drawers, Agent Davis found a baggie containing a large amount of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine and weighed 12.95 grams without packaging. Next to this item was a corner-cut baggie with a white powdery substance that also field tested positive for cocaine and weighed.25 grams. There was a broken credit card in the drawer with the name Manuel Rodriguez.
