Russell Columbus III

On April 1, 2026, at approximately 7:41 P.M., officers with the Minneapolis Police Department were in the area of the East Phillips Park Community Center at 2307 17th Ave S, Minneapolis, Hennepin County. Officers saw a man, later identified as RUSSELL COLUMBUS III, [DOB REDACTED], “Defendant” herein. Defendant was observed to be slumped over and playing with something in his hands. Officers saw that the Defendant was manipulating a small pink paper bindle. When officers announced themselves, Defendant attempted to hide the pink paper but did cooperate when officers told him to drop it.

Officers collected the pink paper and saw that there was suspected narcotics in it. Officers identified Defendant and learned that he had three active misdemeanor arrest warrants. He was taken into custody and inside a pouch he had been wearing around his neck officers located two more pieces of folded pink paper with suspected narcotics. The suspected narcotics were later all tested and field-tested positive for fentanyl, and weighed.05 grams,.10 grams, and.15 grams without packaging. Defendant was previously convicted of felony Drugs in the fifth degree in ••-CR-••-•••• on or about Mary 6, 2022; and felony Drugs in the fifth degree in ••-CR-••-•••• on or about December 19, 2017. Defendant is currently in custody.