Crosby man charged with possession of meth

On September 7th, 2024, Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police Department Officers were requested to respond to the Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia regarding possible drugs being located.

Upon arrival, the Officer made contact with the Casino security supervisor and was given the following report:

A security guard was driving around the parking lot in a security truck and observed a large amount of a white crystal-like substance on the ground next to a motorcycle. Security brought one of the shards into the security office prior so it could be tested for methamphetamine.

The Officer conducted a field test on this shard and the results were positive for methamphetamine. He then observed surveillance coverage of the motorcycle arriving on the property. After parking the motorcycle near the VIP entrance, the driver entered the Casino. After some time, another individual goes directly to the suspect motorcycle and pulled on the stereo area until he loosens it. This subject retrieves an item from the cavity where the radio had been. The subject then immediately walks away from the motorcycle, gets into another vehicle driven by another individual, and they both leave the property.

When the motorcycle initially arrived at the Casino, there was nothing observed on the ground where it was parked. The substance was not observed until the second subject manipulates the motorcycle. Officers responded to the suspect motorcycle and began to collect the methamphetamine that was scattered on the ground.

The Officer observed a large amount of what appeared to be methamphetamine on the ground primarily on the left-hand side as well as on the gas tank and speedometer area. He also observed some narcotics inside the cavity where the radio was previously located.

The total amount of methamphetamine collected from the ground amounted to approximately 259.97 grams including the packaging that it was collected in.

While processing the scene, Casino security advised that the motorcycle’s owner exited the front doors and observed Officers near his bike; he immediately went back inside. Officers proceeded into the Casino and were directed by staff to a bathroom where the suspect male was located. The suspect was identified as Michael Ryan Goninan.

When they returned to the motorcycle, Officers continued to process the scene. While searching the saddlebags on the motorcycle, Officer Nguyen located a package with Michael’s name on it.

Goninan, 55, allegedy possessed one or more mixtures of a total weight of 50 grams or more containing methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance.

Goninan is being charged with 1st Degree Possession of drugs — 50 grams or more — cocaine or methamphetamine. If convicted, this felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 65 months to 40 years, $1,000,000 fine, or both.