On January 12, 2026, at approximately 2:25 P.M., Crow Wing County Dan Schad was on patrol when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 371 in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, after seeing the vehicle had dark tint and registration stickers that were partially obstructed. The driver was identified as Loren Leroy Rice, [DOB REDACTED], the DEFENDANT herein. Deputy Schad confirmed with a tint-meter that the window tint only allowed for 17-20% light transmittance as opposed to 50% as required by law.
While speaking with DEFENDANT, Deputy Schad saw an opened can of Ice House beer sitting on the passenger floorboard, and in running DEFENDANT'S driver's license, learned DEFENDANT had a restricted [DL# REDACTED] that any use of alcohol or controlled substances invalidates his license. When asked about alcohol use, DEFENDANT admitted to drinking beer that morning. He then submitted to a preliminary breath test, which showed a blood alcohol concentration of.014. DEFENDANT was placed under arrest and then searched.
In DEFENDANT'S pocket, Deputy Schad located a meth pipe containing burnt residue. DEFENDANT'S vehicle was then searched and Deputy Schad found a bottle of Fireball alcohol on the passenger seat and a mug containing suspected Fireball in the driver's door pocket. He also located several prescription bottles containing suspected marijuana and torch lighters in the center console. DEFENDANT was transported to the Crow Wing County Jail and searched before being placed in the holding cell. DEFENDANT admitted to having a "little dope" in his sweatpants, which he provided to Deputy Schad.
The substance weighed approximately 1.8 grams and tested positive for methamphetamine, which is a schedule II controlled substance. DEFENDANT also had 4 pills inside another prescription bottle on him, which were identified as Hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine is a medication requiring a valid prescription. DEFENDANT admitted he did not have a prescription for the pills and got them from a friend to help him relax.
