On April 17, 2025 Hennepin County officers and other agencies were on the lookout for JAMES DARRELL SMITH [DOB REDACTED], herein after "Defendant" who had an active felony arrest warrant from Hennepin County Court file ••-CR-••-••••. Defendant was located and stopped driving a vehicle near Hiawatha and 41st Street within the city of Minneapolis, Hennepin County. In a search incident to his arrest, officers located a small bag with a powder substance believed to be illegal narcotics inside of his left jacket pocket.
Officers also located glass meth style pipe and burnt foil in the center console and driver floor. During a search of the vehicle officers also found: Polymer P80 9mm handgun with a silver slide and no serial number on the floorboards in between the drivers and passengers rear seats; Magazine from item #1 with 15 9mm rounds in it Incident; One 9mm round from the chamber of item #1; and.58 grams of cocaine (Field tested positive) found in the glovebox. Upon arrival at the Hennepin County Jail, additional suspected narcotics were located on Defendant's person.
In a post-Miranda statement, Defendant described the firearm in the vehicle and admitted to having touched it the day prior. Defendant also admitted to knowing he was not supposed to possess firearms based on prior convictions. In later testing, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tested and weighed the substances finding 0.583 grams containing fentanyl and 0.183 grams containing methamphetamine. Defendant has the following prior felony convictions that prohibit his possession of firearms: Threats of Violence in Ramsey County Court file ••-CR-••-•••• on January 29, 2025; Receiving Stolen Property in Hennepin County Court file ••-CR-••-•••• on April 11, 2024; Theft of a Motor Vehicle in Scott County Court file ••-CR-••-•••• on November 4, 2024; 5th Degree Drug possession in Hennepin County Court file ••-CR-••-••••; and Fleeing Police in a Motor Vehicle in Dakota County Court file 19HA-CR-15-1162 Since the date of the incident he also has a conviction for Fleeing Police in a Motor Vehicle in a Motor Vehicle from Pine County Court file ••-CR-••-•••• on November 10, 2025. Defendant was last released from custody on November 18, 2025 and his whereabouts are unknown.
Based on the seriousness of this case and the possible penalties attached, a warrant is requested to address bail and conditions necessary to protect the public safety and ensure Defendant's reappearance.
