The report indicated that the female driver had been there for about two hours and was not responding to employees attempts to wake her up, even when the employees were banging on her vehicle windows. The report also included that at one point the vehicle had begun rolling backwards and the employee had to physically stop the vehicle to prevent it from striking other vehicles or gas pumps. When officers arrived they observed a vehicle matching the description provided that was parked across two parking spots.
The female driver, subsequently identified as CHERYL HEATH [DOB REDACTED], defendant herein, awoke as Captain Ryan Broich walked up to the vehicle. While speaking with the defendant Captain Broich observed that she was speaking rapidly and was difficult to understand. The defendant refused to identify herself. Captain Broich also observed a metal tubular pipe commonly used to ingest methamphetamine was visible on the front passenger seat. The pipe had rubber tubing and black burnt residue. Deputy Nicholas Lindberg was also at the scene and while speaking with the defendant observed several indications consistent with methamphetamine use, including erratic talking, slurred speech, heat bumps on her tongue and decaying teeth.
Based on all of their observations and the reported behavior from the store employee, fully identified in reports, the officers believed the defendant was under the influence of a controlled substance. The defendant was placed under arrest and a search of the vehicle was conducted. A Minnesota ID card that matched the defendant was located inside a wallet style purse. Also inside the purse was a clear plastic baggie containing a substance that field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine and weighed 3.97 grams without packaging.
A blood sample was obtained by medical personnel from the defendant pursuant to a judicially signed search warrant and will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. The defendant has a prior DWI conviction in Mille Lacs County Court file 48‐CR‐21‐283 from July 14, 2022. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
