On November 18, 2025, at approximately 11:30 P.M., an officer on route patrol conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Kellogg Boulevard near Smith Avenue in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. As the officer approached, he observed that the vehicle was filthy with layers of dirt on all surfaces and trash scattered throughout. The officer further smelled a strong odor similar to cat urine emanating from the vehicle’s interior, which is consistent with drug usage. The officer observed an orange needle syringe cap lying on the passenger seat and Narcan lying in the center console.
There were two passengers in the backseat. The driver was identified as REBECCA LOU VELLINE – [DOB REDACTED]. When asked about the syringe cap and Narcan, VELLINE responded that her husband is a diabetic and she has Narcan because she was a counselor. VELLINE stated, “There is nothing like that going on here,” which the officer perceived to be a reference to drug usage. The officer told VELLINE that based on her behavior and his observations, the officer suspected that there were narcotics in the vehicle.
VELLINE said she was giving the backseat passengers a ride to the cathedral after she dropped off a friend. The vehicle’s registration expired in January 2025, so the officer had the occupants exit the vehicle and prepared to have the vehicle towed. VELLINE approached the officer and asked to retrieve some items, which the officers allowed her to do. VELLINE retrieved a black CD case from the front of the vehicle. When questioned about its contents, VELLINE claimed it contained her cigarettes. Police asked to look inside, and VELLINE opened it to show them.
Inside, police observed 39 tie-off baggies containing suspected narcotics, a syringe filled with a yellow-colored substance, a crystal-like suspected methamphetamine rock, and eight used syringes. An officer lifted a shirt from the driver’s seat after VELLINE got out of the car, and loose chunks of suspected narcotics were recovered. Following a Miranda advisory, VELLINE said the case belonged to her husband and she suspected there may have been something inside. VELLINE told police that her husband was sick, which started a few hours ago, and she did not know what he was sick with.
VELLINE denied selling drugs. There were four different types of drugs in the 39 tie-off bags, and they were separated into four groups. One tie-off from each of the four was opened, weighed, and tested. Preliminary testing on the first substance yielded a positive result for cocaine and fentanyl. The total weight was.91 grams. Preliminary testing on the second substance yielded a positive result for cocaine. The total weight was.64 grams. Preliminary testing on the third substance yielded a positive result for cocaine.
