On October 23, 2025, officers monitoring security cameras at the Franklin Avenue lightrail station observed an adult male smoking suspected narcotics in a platform shelter located in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Officers made contact with the male who provided a false name: Kerry Ericvon Joseph [DOB REDACTED]. Officers ultimately identified the male as Tyrone Patrick Joseph [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein. Record checks revealed the Defendant had numerous active warrants. The Defendant was arrested and searched incident to arrest.
During the search officers located two larger plastic baggies containing a total of 15 Post-it notes and 4 plastic bindles, each containing white or gray powder, suspected to be narcotics. Some of the bindles were later field tested and tested positive for: (.05 g) – Positive for Fentanyl (.38 g) – Positive for Cocaine (.37 g) – Positive for Cocaine Additional items were consistent in weight and appearance with the above samples and were not tested. Based on the officers’ training and experience, the narcotics were believed to be possessed with intent to sell.
The package quantity and uniformity of 19 separate packages of suspected narcotics, is significantly more than a typical user would carry. The Post-its were crisp, uniformly folded, and consistent in size and shape, showing no signs of repeated folding or handling. Drug users typically have only one or two Post-its or bindles that are visibly worn and inconsistently folded due to repeated opening for use. The fentanyl packages each weighed approximately 0.04–0.05 grams, while the cocaine bindles ranged from 0.34–0.39 grams.
These consistent and deliberate weights indicate the narcotics were pre-measured for distribution, consistent with sale activity. Drug users typically possess irregular quantities resulting from consumption. In addition, the Defendant possessed two types of narcotics (suspected fentanyl and cocaine), suggesting he maintained an inventory intended for sale to different buyers rather than for personal use. The Defendant is currently in custody at the Hennepin County Jail; therefore, the State requests the complaint be issued by warrant as the Defendant is unlikely to appear by summons.
