Central Minn. Task Force Investigation Leads to Major Meth Charges
BY MN CRIME STAFF
Investigators say a central Minnesota drug investigation uncovered multiple large methamphetamine sales.
Authorities later discovered nearly 3.8 ounces of methamphetamine in the woman's purse during a separate arrest tied to the case.
The alleged activity happened between Aug. 19 and Sept. 25, 2025 during an investigation spanning Sauk Centre Township in Stearns County, Kandota Township in Todd County and the city of St. Cloud.
Prosecutors have charged Amanda Kaye Stafford, 37, of Sauk Centre, in two separate cases filed in Stearns County. She faces four felony counts of first-degree sale of a controlled substance and one felony count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance following an investigation by the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force.
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According to the criminal complaints, investigators first arranged a controlled purchase on Aug. 19, 2025 using a confidential informant who contacted Stafford to buy two ounces of methamphetamine. Task force officers searched the informant and the informant's vehicle beforehand and provided buy money and a recording device.
Investigators surveilled the informant traveling to a meeting location in Sauk Centre Township where Stafford arrived with Arturo Botello, 35. Authorities say the informant handed the buy money to Botello and received a bag of suspected methamphetamine. The informant later observed Botello hand the cash to Stafford before leaving the area.
The substance was later tested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and determined to contain methamphetamine weighing about 1.6 ounces.
Two days later, on Aug. 21, investigators conducted another controlled purchase. Officers again searched the informant and vehicle before providing buy money and a recording device.
Authorities say the informant met Stafford in Kandota Township where the buy money was exchanged for suspected methamphetamine. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed just over 2 ounces including packaging.
A third controlled buy took place on Sept. 17 in Sauk Centre. Investigators say the informant again met with Stafford and purchased another quantity of methamphetamine weighing nearly an ounce.
READ MORE > Stearns County coverage
Across the three controlled purchases, investigators documented the sale of approximately 4.6 ounces of methamphetamine.
The investigation continued several days later. On Sept. 25, officers with the task force observed Stafford riding in a vehicle driven by Botello in St. Cloud. Authorities say investigators already had probable cause to arrest both of them for controlled substance crimes connected to the earlier drug sales.
Near the intersection of 20th Avenue North and 3rd Street North, officers stopped the vehicle and arrested Botello. A search of his pockets allegedly uncovered more than a half-ounce of suspected methamphetamine.
Investigators say Stafford then admitted she had a quarter pound of methamphetamine inside her purse. Officers searched the purse and found two bags containing suspected methamphetamine. The BCA later tested one of the two bags and determined it contained methamphetamine weighing 107.876 grams, or about 3.8 ounces. The second bag was not tested as part of the BCA report.
Court records show Stafford was previously convicted of a first-degree controlled substance crime in July 2016 in Stearns County.
Information on possible charges against Botello was not immediately available.
If convicted of the current charges, Stafford faces a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison. She was charged by summons and is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on April 6.
The alleged activity happened between Aug. 19 and Sept. 25, 2025 during an investigation spanning Sauk Centre Township in Stearns County, Kandota Township in Todd County and the city of St. Cloud.