A Bloomington man sped away from officers after a suspected drug deal, then carried a green bag into a residence where officers found cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs, according to charges.
Benjamin Todd Julen, 29, faces 10 felony charges in Hennepin County District Court. The charges include first-degree drug sale, second-degree drug possession, second-degree drug sale, third-degree drug possession, second-degree sale of amphetamines or hallucinogens, fifth-degree drug possession, third-degree drug sale, another count of fifth-degree drug possession, fourth-degree drug sale and a third count of fifth-degree drug possession.
According to the complaint, officers with the Bloomington Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in Bloomington on September 3, 2026. Officers had observed Julen engage in a suspected controlled substance transaction inside his vehicle, which was parked at a nearby business. When officers tried to stop Julen by activating their emergency lights and announcing themselves, Julen drove away at a high rate of speed.
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Police followed Julen to a residence, where they saw him exit his vehicle and enter the home carrying a green bag. Inside the residence, officers found the same green bag, which contained numerous plastic bags filled with suspected controlled substances. Subsequent testing found the bags held a combined 45.51 grams of field-test-positive cocaine, 13.41 grams of field-test-positive methamphetamine and 21.64 grams of suspected ketamine, which is classified as a hallucinogen under Minnesota law.
Officers also found one orange tablet marked “B97430,” consistent with generic amphetamine, and four orange and white capsules labeled “AN24,” consistent with Vyvanse, a brand name for a schedule II-controlled substance. A search of Julen’s vehicle turned up numerous empty plastic bags and a digital scale with white powdery residue.
Investigators obtained a warrant to search Julen’s cell phone, where they found a large number of messages between Julen and unidentified third parties discussing the sale of controlled substances. In a post-Miranda statement, Julen admitted to selling cocaine on the date in question and said he sells cocaine on a continuing basis. The complaint states that Julen’s actions, the evidence recovered and his statements all indicate his intent to sell the drugs in his possession.
The charges against Julen reflect the range and quantity of drugs involved. The first-degree drug sale charge alleges he sold at least 17 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine within a 90-day period. The second-degree possession and sale charges involve at least 25 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine and the sale of amphetamines or hallucinogens.
The third-degree charges cover possession and sale of narcotics, while the fourth- and fifth-degree charges address additional sales and possession of various controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
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Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 44 other cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
