Charges: Suspect brought drugs into jail after chase

A high-speed chase began in Kenyon and ended in Faribault Sunday, charges allege.

A motorist reported a driver later identified as Dustin Charles Adams Powell, 36, of Red Wing, was driving recklessly and nearly caused a crash on Highway 52, according to a court complaint.

A Kenyon Police officer located and stopped Powell on Highway 60 around 6 p.m. He reportedly was wearing a backpack under his clothing and was holding up a gold children’s hairbrush. He reportedly took a long time before finding driver’s license renewal papers in a fanny pack and stating he could not find proof of insurance because his girlfriend had “trashed” the pickup.

The officer returned to the squad and determined Powell’s license had been revoked and requested backup believing Powell might be driving while impaired. Powell then allegedly sped off.

A 17-mile chase ensued, hitting a max speed of 104 mph, the charges allege. The truck’s tires were blown out by spike strips deployed after Powell reached Faribault and the chase ended in the parking lot of Divine Mercy Catholic School, according to the court complaint.

Powell allegedly did not respond to commands to get out of the vehicle and an officer shot PepperBalls into the vehicle. Powell reportedly then stepped out and started smoking a cigarette until officers arrested him.

Powell repeatedly made claims of being “on fire” and “burning,” and was checked over at the Faribault hospital before he was taken to the Goodhue County Adult Detention Center.

Upon a search through Powell’s belongings, staff of the jail allegedly found meth in a rolled-up $1 bill and several credit cards and an ID card belonging to other people.

Powell was charged Monday in Goodhue County District Court with felonies for fleeing police and drug possession, a gross misdemeanor for bringing drugs into jail, and misdemeanors for driving after license revocation and without proof of insurance.

Powell has multiple past felony convictions as well as several pending charges that were put on hold after he was found incompetent, according to court records.