Darryl Gene Smith SR

On January 2, 2026, Baxter Police Officer Conner Collette was on patrol in the Walmart parking lot in Baxter, Crow Wing County, Minnesota when he observed a vehicle parked with a placard hanging from the rearview mirror. The officer queried the vehicle and learned it was registered to a female. Officer Collette followed the vehicle onto College Road and observed the rear center-mount brake lamp was not functional and the placard was still hanging from the rearview mirror. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Darryl Gene Smith, Sr. ([DOB redacted]), hereinafter "defendant," who stated that the vehicle belonged to his daughter.

Defendant was unable to provide proof of insurance. Defendant was found to have a license that had been canceled as in inimical to public safety and placed under arrest. During a search of defendant's person, Deputy Thesing located a bag of suspected methamphetamine. Officer Collette read defendant the Miranda Warning and defendant stated that the meth was for a friend. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a half empty bottle of vodka in the passenger seat back. Defendant said a friend had left it in the vehicle.

On the way to jail, defendant stated that the vehicle belonged to him but he had registered it in his daughters name because he does not have a license. Officer Collette observed that defendant was required to register as a predatory offender and the subject vehicle was previously listed on the registry but removed in 2022 and not currently listed. At the jail, Officer Collette spoke with defendant further and defendant stated that the meth in his jacket belonged to him and he was planning on selling it.

The suspected drugs weighed approximately 6.71 grams and field tested positive for methamphetamine.