A Maplewood police officer found cocaine, a loaded handgun and evidence of drug use after stopping a GMC driven by Andre Lamar Graham Sr., prosecutors say.
Andre Lamar Graham Sr. faces four charges: fifth-degree drug possession, carrying a pistol without a permit, DWI for operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance and carrying a pistol while under the influence of a controlled substance. The charges were filed October 23 in Ramsey County District Court.
According to the complaint, a Maplewood police officer stopped a GMC for speeding in Maplewood on April 16. The officer identified the driver as Graham, with two passengers in the vehicle. The officer noted Graham lit a cigarette, did not roll the window down fully and had bloodshot, watery eyes. Suspecting impairment, the officer had Graham perform field sobriety tests, on which he performed poorly. Graham was then arrested after failing to provide an adequate breath sample.
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During a search incident to arrest, police found a small white straw in Graham’s pocket and a container of suspected narcotics. Officers also found suspected narcotics in a black bag Graham was carrying. While inventorying the vehicle, police discovered a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun between the front driver’s seat and the center console. Police later confirmed Graham did not have a permit to carry a firearm.
Graham was transported to the Maplewood Police Department. Upon arrival, an officer saw a large amount of white powder in the back seat of the squad car, on the back of Graham’s pants and chunks of white powder in Graham’s buttocks. Graham then laid down on the floor and began vomiting, so he was transported to Region’s Hospital. Police found additional suspected narcotics on the stretcher used to transport him.
Pursuant to a search warrant, police obtained a sample of Graham’s blood. Graham declined a formal interview. All of the suspected narcotics collected by police field-tested positive for cocaine, with a total net weight of 1.34 grams found in Graham’s pocket, black chest bag, underwear and on the ambulance stretcher.
Police took DNA swabs from the pistol’s slide and grip, and obtained a known sample of Graham’s DNA. The samples were sent to the BCA for analysis. On June 30, police received a BCA lab report indicating the major DNA profile from the firearm grip matched Graham’s DNA. Lab reports also showed Graham’s blood alcohol concentration was .010 and his blood contained cocaine, a metabolite of cocaine and MDMA.
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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; Ramsey County Community Corrections operates the Ramsey County Correctional Facility in Maplewood.
