Charles Albert Stepaniak

On February 28, 2026, Deputy Loomis of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee, hereinafter vehicle, bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED], for traveling in the City of Monticello, Wright County, Minnesota, with expired registration and an equipment violation. The driving privileges of the registered owner, Charles Albert Stepaniak [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter Defendant, were revoked. Defendant was identified as the driver. Defendant admitted his license privileges were revoked and the vehicle lacked insurance coverage.

Defendant avoided eye contact, had shaky hands, and had dental and facial signs of prolonged methamphetamine use. Upon inquiry, Defendant said he last used drugs six months earlier, and then stated it was years ago when he last used methamphetamine. When asked if methamphetamine was in the vehicle, Defendant glanced at the center console but denied the presence of methamphetamine. Deputy Loomis' K9 alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. A vehicle search yielded 1.05 grams of a substance that field tested positive as methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The methamphetamine was found in the center console.