A confidential source supplied information to the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force that Nicholas Patrick Wade Knutson (6-10-1987), hereinafter Defendant, was selling methamphetamine in the community. Defendant lives on Stieger Lake Lane in Victoria, Carver County. In December 2025 agents set up a controlled purchase using the confidential source. Visual contact was maintained and showed Defendant selling methamphetamine to the source in Scott County. The source indicated Defendant is commonly selling and in possession of a pound of methamphetamine.
Defendant will use different residences outside of his Victoria address to evade probation and law enforcement. On January 28, 2026, an Agent conducted surveillance on an address in Bloomington known to be associated with Defendant and observed a man appearing to be Defendant get picked up in an Uber or Lyft. The man was carrying a black backpack and sat in the rear seat. The Agent followed the vehicle from Bloomington to Victoria and was able to see the man had glasses and appeared to be Defendant, who had an active Felony warrant out of Carver County.
The Agent called for backup and Carver County Deputies initiated a traffic stop. Defendant was arrested and read a Miranda. Defendant stated he had a "ball" in his bag, which is slang for about 3.5 grams of methamphetamine. The agent observed that Knutson was wearing a coat over a sweatshirt. While searching the coat the agent located two, capped, hypodermic needles. He also located a black in color container, miscellaneous needle caps, and Defendant's cellphone. In Defendant's front left pant pocket, the agent located a plastic baggie with a crystal-like substance inside.
It appeared to contain approximately a golf ball sized amount of the substance. The substance was suspected to be Methamphetamine. It was in a baggie and weighed 17.5 grams. The Agent seized the backpack and found methamphetamine weighing 104 grams. A search warrant for Defendant's phone showed several messages with discussions regarding selling or buying methamphetamine from Defendant. Due to the seriousness of the charge and the fact that Defendant is known to switch addresses and stay at various locations, the State requests this issue as a complaint warrant so conditions of release can be appropriately set given the public safety concerns.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
