On September 11, 2025, at approximately 10:37 P.M., Minneapolis Police were on patrol near 22nd Street East and 16th Avenue South in Minneapolis, Hennepin County. At this time, police observed a silver Chevrolet Impala (MN NPY013) driving eastbound at the intersection. The vehicle had August 2025 tabs displayed but an NCIC check showed the registration expired in August 2024. The police caught up to the vehicle which suddenly pulled to the curb, without police initiating a traffic stop. The police then activated the emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.
As police approached the vehicle, they observed one individual in the car and a glass bubble pipe with white residue inside on the rear right floorboard. The driver was identified as ROBERT LEON KETTLE [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein. Defendant's driving status was revoked, and he could not produce valid insurance. Police observed Defendant's eyes were bloodshot and watery and suspected Defendant may be under the influence of a controlled substance. Police asked Defendant to exit the vehicle and perform standard field sobriety testing.
The officer asked if Defendant had consumed alcohol and he stated no, but when asked if he had consumed methamphetamine, Defendant stated he had smoked meth this morning. During the SFSTs, the police observed clues of impairment during the one-leg-stand test. Police conducted a search of the vehicle and located a zippered fabric pouch stuffed between the center console and front right seat. Within the pouch, police located an additional drug pipe and numerous clear plastic baggies containing a white crystalline substance.
Based on the officer's observations and discovery of suspected controlled substance, the officer placed Defendant under arrest for suspected driving while under the influence. Police later processed the suspected controlled substance, which was in six separate baggies, and it field-tested positive for 38.79 grams of Methamphetamine. The officer obtained a search warrant for Defendant's blood or urine and brought Defendant to the hospital to execute the warrant. On November 14, 2025, the BCA issued a lab report revealing the presence of Amphetamine and Methamphetamine in Defendant's system.
At present, Defendant is not in custody.
