In March of 2025, Det. Pond of the Rochester Police Department began working with a Confidential Reliable Informant (CRI) conducting controlled buys of controlled substances in the city of Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. The CRI advised they knew Tyler Jon Drewes ([DOB REDACTED]), Defendant herein, was engaging in methamphetamine sales. CRI indicated that they could purchase methamphetamine directly from Defendant. At Det. Pond's direction, CRI contacted Defendant and Defendant agreed to sell CRI a first-degree amount of methamphetamine.
During the communication between CRI and Defendant, Defendant indicated that he needed to be picked up in NW Rochester. Det. Pond met with CRI and equipped them with a covert recording device and prerecorded buy funds. CRI was searched prior to being released with nothing of evidentiary value located. CRI was released at which time surveillance maintained visual of CRI in their vehicle. CRI was observed picking up Defendant. Detectives were able to identify Defendant from prior law enforcement contacts and a recent Olmsted County booking photo.
Defendant got into the front seat of CRI's vehicle and traveled to southern Rochester. Defendant went into a residence and then returned to CRI's vehicle a short time later. Shortly after that, Defendant exited the vehicle and walked away. Detectives maintained surveillance of Defendant and met Detectives again at a predesignated meeting location. Upon meeting CRI provided a large amount of a white crystallized substance suspected to be methamphetamine. CRI debriefed with Det. Pond. CRI indicated that they had purchased methamphetamine from Defendant about ten times in the previous year.
CRI verified that they gave the prerecorded buy money to Defendant in exchange for methamphetamine. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed more than 17 grams. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
