A Saint Paul man admitted to smoking methamphetamine at a homeless camp before getting behind the wheel and failing multiple sobriety tests during a traffic stop, according to charges.
Chao Xiong, 36, faces three charges: fifth-degree drug possession, driving while impaired by a controlled substance and driving with any amount of a Schedule I or II drug in his system.
According to the complaint, a Saint Paul police officer working a Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety shift saw a vehicle drifting between lanes while driving west on Marshall Avenue from Snelling Avenue at about 10:47 a.m. on August 14, 2026. The officer watched as the vehicle crossed into the bike lane and over the solid yellow divider before turning south on Fairview Avenue, prompting a traffic stop.
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The officer identified the driver as Chao Xiong. The officer could see the outline of a glass bubble pipe, which is commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, in Xiong’s left front pants pocket. Xiong’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, his eyelids droopy and he had burn marks on his fingers. Xiong told the officer his driver’s license was revoked.
Two passengers were also in the vehicle. The officer also saw what appeared to be bottled wine in the back seat.
The officer had Xiong exit the vehicle and perform standardized field sobriety tests. During a frisk for weapons, Xiong reached for his front right pants pocket and told the officer he had recently smoked meth. He then handed over the glass pipe. Xiong estimated his own intoxication level as a “4” out of 10, with 10 being the most impaired he had ever been.
Xiong performed poorly on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand and Modified Romberg Balance tests. The officer took him into custody. During a search incident to arrest, the officer found suspected methamphetamine in Xiong’s right front pants pocket. The substance later tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 2.02 grams.
After being read his rights, Xiong told officers he had smoked methamphetamine that morning at a homeless camp and admitted he did not think it was safe or a good idea to drive after using the drug. Officers obtained a sample of Xiong’s urine pursuant to a search warrant.
The charge of fifth-degree drug possession alleges Xiong unlawfully possessed methamphetamine. The two DWI charges allege he operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance and with any amount of a Schedule I or II drug in his system.
The charges were filed Friday, September 25, in Ramsey County District Court.
About This Charge
Minnesota’s controlled-substance statutes are organized in five degrees under § 152.021 through § 152.025. First-degree possession or sale carries up to 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence depending on quantity. Fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin are all Schedule I or II controlled substances triggering the highest-degree statutes.
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Jurisdictional Context
Ramsey County encompasses Saint Paul and is served by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Felony cases are heard in the Second Judicial District at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown Saint Paul; the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates the Ramsey County Correctional Facility in Maplewood.
