On April 13, 2026, at 12:23 A.M., an Oakdale Police Officer observed a vehicle parked in a fast food business parking lot parked diagonally across several spaces. The officer returned a short time later to the parking lot and observed the vehicle parked in the same way in the city of Oakdale, Washington County, Minnesota. The vehicle was running, headlights on, there was a puddle of water beneath the vehicle likely from the air conditioner. There was a sole occupant/driver identified as Tyler Verlyon Townsend, [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein.
Officers awoke Defendant when they knocked on the window. Defendant had bloodshot, watery eyes and constricted pupils. While speaking, Defendant seemed to have a heavy tongue and slurred speech that made it difficult to understand him. Defendant had difficulties providing his driver's license to the officer. Officer then asked Defendant to perform field sobriety tests. Officer explained the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. Officer observed Defendant's eyes tracked equally. At maximum deviation, Defendant eyes deviated momentarily before returning to center.
Officer also observed a slight jerking motion in the eyes. Officer then explained the walk and turn test. Defendant did not maintain the starting position. During the walking phase, Defendant took an incorrect number of steps, made an improper turn, used his arms for balance and appeared confused. Officer explained the one leg stand test. Defendant attempted the test repeatedly but put his foot down, used his arms for balance and restarted counting. Defendant did take a PBT with a result of.000. Defendant was arrested and transported to the fire hall.
Blood was drawn after a search warrant was obtained. Defendant provided a statement after his Miranda Rights were read. Defendant said he believed he arrived at the restaurant around 1:00 A.M. Defendant said he had gotten into a fight with his girlfriend earlier in the night and then parked in the lot while he was trying to decide what food to get. Defendant said he was a daily methamphetamine user and that there was methamphetamine in his vehicle for personal use. The vehicle was then searched as part of an inventory search.
There was a black bag sitting behind the center console. Inside of the bag there was what is believed to be a methamphetamine water pipe with yellow tubing attached to the mouthpiece. Also inside of the bag: Green Under Armor case - main compartment White Digital Scale- main compartment Neoprene Can koozie- main compartment Water Pipe Paraphernalia- neoprene can koozie Multiple torches/lighters- throughout the bag 2 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 6/10/2026 Prescription bottle for Sildenafil prescribed to Defendant- main compartment Small black/clear makeup container, containing suspected methamphetamine (brown/clumpy)- main compartment Empty/used vape pen cartridges Filled cartridge containing a yellowish liquid Small vial containing 1.5 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine Plastic container containing unknown yellowish liquid Plastic baggie containing 3 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine Plastic baggie containing 5.5 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine Plastic baggie containing 2 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine Plastic baggie containing 3.5 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine Plastic baggie containing 1.5 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine Small vial containing 2 grams of field-tested positive brown methamphetamine Small vial containing 1.5 grams of field-tested positive brown methamphetamine On June 7, 2026, blood tests were received from the MN BCA and the report showed Defendant's blood has.059 concentration of methamphetamine and 0.114 concentration of amphetamine in the blood.
