On April 28, 2026, at approximately 1:45 P.M., Crow Wing County Deputy Aiden Anderson was traveling south on County Road 45 in Crow Wing County, Minnesota when he observed a white Dodge Ram traveling northbound which appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed. Deputy Anderson, using his in squad radar, registered the vehicle at 60 mph in a 55 mph zone. Deputy Anderson turned around to travel behind the subject vehicle and observed a large crack in the front windshield that appeared to be at the driver's eye level.
Deputy Anderson conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle on Thiesse Road near Oakridge Road. The driver was identified as Sarah Lynne Stangle ([DOB redacted]), hereinafter "defendant." As the deputy spoke with defendant, defendant explained that she had been stopped recently, used to struggle with drug addiction, and had relapsed recently. She said she was going on a drive so her granddaughter could sleep. Deputy Anderson observed defendant's granddaughter in a carseat. The deputy observed scars on the top of defendant's hands which were consistent with drug use.
He also observed a blow torch in the vehicle which he knows can also be associated with drug use. Defendant told Deputy Anderson that she believes if people have nothing to hide, that they should let the police search their car. Deputy Anderson started to observe that Sarah appeared to be moving a lot and not able to stand still. The deputy asked if he could search defendant's vehicle and defendant became angry and said no because her granddaughter was in the vehicle. Officer Casanova explained that a K9 was en route and defendant stated that a dog would hit on her car because there had been drugs in her vehicle.
Defendant stated, "The dude dumped them all over my floor, and the officer found that." Defendant said there may be some "dust" left. Sergeant Halverson and his K9 partner conducted a narcotics sniff of the vehicle and reported that there was a positive indication for narcotics in the truck. Sergeant Halverson spoke with defendant and read her the Miranda warning. Defendant was asked if there was any reason his K9 would alert on the vehicle. Defendant said someone had dumped methamphetamine or fentanyl out in her vehicle on the floor.
She also said that there were two glass methamphetamine pipes in the center console that she had not yet disposed of. Sergeant Halverson searched the vehicle and located a purse in the center console containing multiple credit cards and an old MN driver's license belonging to defendant. He also located two used hypodermic needles and a small zip bag containing field tested positive methamphetamine. Under the center console paneling along the driver's side console he located a used hypodermic needle.
