From the beginning of January until March 5, 2026, the Rochester Police Department conducted an investigation into FRANCISCO FUERTE RANGEL [DOB REDACTED] regarding his involvement in the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine. At the beginning of January 2026, a confidential reliable informant (CRI) advised Detective McSweeny that Rangel was engaged in selling methamphetamine in Rochester, Olmsted County, MN. The CRI stated that they had personally seen Rangel in possession of approximately 5-6 pounds of methamphetamine and had purchased methamphetamine directly from him within the past month.
Based on this information, a controlled purchase of methamphetamine was prepared on January 21. The CRI was searched to ensure he did not possess any contraband. The CRI was then provided with prerecorded buy funds and met with an undercover detective (UC). The CRI and UC traveled to the predetermined buy location in Olmsted County. At this location, Rangel gave the CRI 396.7 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for US currency. Officers met with the CRI and took custody of this methamphetamine. After selling the CRI methamphetamine, Rangel was driven away from the buy location and dropped off at his home.
The driver of the vehicle then traveled to a residence in SW Rochester, identified as the residence of VICTOR MANUEL GARZON MACHUCO [DOB REDACTED]. The vehicle Rangel and the other individual were in also belonged to Machuco, leading officers to believe it was likely Machuco driving Rangel to the buy location. The CRI subsequently met with Rangel in Olmsted County on January 30. Rangel “fronted” the CRI approximately 854.2 grams of methamphetamine. “Fronting” a controlled substance is a term used for providing narcotics to an individual prior to being paid for it.
The expectation is that the individual providing the narcotics would be paid back for the substance at a later date. The CRI and UC subsequently met with Rangel and provided him with US currency to pay for the approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine. On February 5, another controlled purchase of methamphetamine was arranged. UC contacted Rangel and agreed to give Rangel $2,500 in exchange for approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine. UC and Rangel met at a predetermined location in Olmsted County.
Rangel entered UC’s vehicle and gave UC methamphetamine in exchange for $2,500. UC and Rangel then left the area separately. The methamphetamine was weighed and determined to be 453 grams. Prior to meeting with UC, surveillance revealed that Rangel met with Machuco for approximately 15 minutes and was supplied with a bag. The circumstances suggest that this bag contained the controlled substances that were ultimately sold to UC. On February 19, another controlled purchase of methamphetamine was arranged.
