M., a Winona Police Officer (Officer) was patrolling an area near the arena located in the City and County of Winona, Minnesota, when he observed Travis Jeffrey Nation, [DOB REDACTED] (Defendant) pushing a black moped with no license plate. Officer was aware of several recent moped thefts. Officer was also aware Defendant has a history of thefts. Officer went to the parking lot where Defendant was located with the moped. Officer observed Defendant to be wearing a face mask that covered half of his face pacing the area.
Defendant then entered a porta potty for a few minutes. After exiting the porta potty, Defendant walks back to the moped. Officer then makes contact with Defendant. Defendant stated he did not own the moped and provided Officer with the owner’s name. Officer bent down to locate the VIN of the moped so he could provide it to dispatch to determine if it was stolen. While Officer was bending down to read the VIN number, he observed a clear sandwich size bag containing a clear rock type substance in a cubby below the handlebars.
Based on his professional experience, Officer believed the substance to be methamphetamine. The substance later tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 6.8 grams. Defendant initially denied the substance as being his but later stated he had just purchased it from another individual. Based on the finding of the substance and prior professional contacts with Defendant, Officers searched Defendant. Officers located a small baggie of a suspected controlled substance in Defendant’s front right pocket and $814.00 in his front left pocket.
The substance from Defendant’s right front pocket field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 1.1 grams. Defendant admitted that the substance found on his person belonged to him. 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.
