On December 29, 2024, at approximately 5:27 P.M., Metro Transit Officer Hardin was conducting directed patrol at the westbound Snelling LRT Platform, Saint Paul, County of Ramsey. Officer Hardin observed a male-later identified as JESSE WILLIAM RICHARDS, [DOB REDACTED]-crouched down in the corner of the shelter on the platform. Officers approached RICHARDS. When RICHARDS noticed officers approaching, he turned around quickly and made several hand movements in an attempt to put items in his pocket.
RICHARDS had a straw with residue in his hand. Officers asked RICHARDS where the drugs were. RICHARDS picked up a piece of folded tinfoil from the ground in the corner of the shelter where he had been. Inside the tinfoil, there was a white rock-like substance. RICHARDS was arrested and searched. During the search, a piece of tinfoil with a white rock-like substance was removed from RICHARDS’s left front pants pocket. The search also located a few pieces of tinfoil with residue. The BCA Report dated 10/10/2025 reported Item 1, agency item 4, one plastic bag containing evidence classified as rock-like material, amount.495, containing fentanyl.
RICHARDS has a prior gross misdemeanor conviction for Violation of Controlled Substance Laws Fifth Degree, conviction date 08/28/2018. MGA shows an active warrant for RICHARDS in court file ••-CR-••-••••.
