Your Complainant is an Officer with the Owatonna Police Department. Investigation has revealed that on October 24th, 2025, at approximately 4:25PM, Officer Helget observed a vehicle Northbound on 3rd Avenue approaching the intersection of 26th Street Northeast, Owatonna, MN, County of Steele. Officer Helget ran the plate, MN LIC/DHN912, a Chevy Equinox and saw the vehicle registration was expired. Officer Helget conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, made contact with the driver, and asked for his driver's license and proof of insurance.
The driver stated, "Actually, no, I don't need one to drive." When asked why he didn't need one to drive, he stated it was "in the Constitution." The driver asked what he did illegally, and Officer Helget informed him that his tabs had expired in August. The driver stated he didn't need them, then stated, "take me to jail then." Officer Helget told the male to step out of the car. The driver told Officer Helget, "get your Sergeant here" and "I want your Sergeant on scene," and he did not exit the vehicle as instructed.
Officer Helget again told the driver to step out of the car. Officer Helget opened the door, and the driver said, "Don't even, sir." While searching the driver's person, Officer Helget located a bank-type card that had the name "Matthew Pates" on it. Pates' identity was confirmed by locating him via DVS as Matthew Todd Pates ([DOB redacted]). Officer Helget also located a small baggie of suspected marijuana in Pates' pants pocket. Also located in Pates' pants pocket was a small vial containing a crystalline or powdery substance.
Officer Martin and Officer Helget were discussing the substance wile looking in the back of Officer Helget's squad for a test kit. Officer Helget then went to read Pates his Miranda Rights. Before Officer Helget could read Pates his Miranda Rights, Pates stated (without prompting) the substance was meth. Officer Helget then read Pates his Miranda Rights, and Pates stated he had used meth "every day since he was nine" when asked. Officer Helget informed Pates that he would be applying for a search warrant for a blood/urine sample for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
Officer Helget then transported Pates to the ER. While parked at the ER, Officer Helget applied for and was granted a search warrant. Officer Helget read the warrant to Pates in the ER lot and informed him that refusing to take a test is a crime. Pates agreed to provide a urine sample, stating that he doesn't like needles. Officer Helget transported Pates to jail. At the jail, the urine kit was opened - all seals intact and powder present. Officer Helget escorted Pates to the bathroom and witnessed him provide a urine sample.
Officer Helget sealed the bottle in Pates' presence. Pates was turned over to the jail staff. Once back at the Police Department, Officer Helget field tested the substance Pates stated was meth. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine. The methamphetamine (with vial) weighed 9.6 grams. 3 74-CR-26-97 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/13/2026 On December 29th, 2025, Officer Helget reviewed the Examination of Physical Evidence on this case from the MN Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Laboratory.
