Your Complainant, of the Saint Peter POlice Department, has reviewed the reports in this matter and states upon further information, investigation, and belief as follows: On November 1, 2025, at approximately 12:27 A.M., Saint Peter Police Officer Buss was on patrol in the City of Saint Peter, County of Nicollet, State of Minnesota. Officer Buss observed a motor vehicle that was swerving on the roadway; crossing both the center line and fog line of the roadway. He also saw that the vehicle almost struck a guardrail that was along the side the road.
Based on these observations, Officer Buss executed a traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle. Officer Buss approached the vehicle and saw that it contained a female driver. He noted that the female driver appeared to be disheveled, she was not wearing a seatbelt, and she had a cellular phone in her hands. Officer Buss identified the female driver as Isabella Rose Smith, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter referred to as Defendant. Officer Buss advised Defendant why he had stopped her, and Defendant claimed that her driving conduct was caused by her vehicle’s poor alignment.
While speaking with Defendant, Officer Buss saw a piece of burnt tinfoil hanging out of her purse. Officer Buss was aware that tinfoil is commonly used to burn controlled substances so a person can inhale the intoxicating fumes. Based upon his observations, Officer Buss asked Defendant to exit the vehicle to perform several standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs). Defendant performed the tests and Officer Buss saw several signs of impairment. Officer Buss also asked Defendant to submit to portable breath test screening, which showed that her blood alcohol concentration was.000. As a result, Officer Buss advised Defendant that he suspected she was under the influence of a controlled substance.
Defendant denied this was accurate and stated that she last used fentanyl three (3) days before and had just been released from the Brown County Detox Center. She also stated that he does typically smoke fentanyl by using tinfoil. Officer Buss placed Defendant under arrest for suspicion of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. As he was placing her into handcuffs, Defendant told Officer Buss that he would find something in her purse. Officer Buss conducted a search of Defendant’s vehicle and found additional pieces of burnt tinfoil and other drug paraphernalia in Defendant’s purse.
He also located a small baggie that contained a white powdery substance. Officer Buss transported Defendant to a local hospital and obtained a warrant for a sample of Defendant’s blood or urine. The warrant was served upon Defendant and she agreed to provide a blood sample, which was collected at 2:10 A.M. By hospital staff. Officer Buss also obtained a Mirandized statement from Defendant. Defendant stated that the substance inside the small baggie Officer Buss has found in her purse contained approximately one (1) gram of fentanyl.
