Rush City man, 49, charged with felony drug crimes

by Jim Boyle

Editor

A 49-year-old Rush City man stopped in Elk River for vehicle damage and not having a front bumper has been charged with two first-degree felony drug crimes in Sherburne County 10th District Court.

Jere Erickson has been charged with first-degree sale of 17 grams or more of cocaine or methamphetamine within a 90-day period and first-degree possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

A traffic stop in the 11000 block of 193rd Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. June 6 resulted in the confiscation of more than 300 grams of what was believed to be methamphetamine.

Erickson faces not less than 65 months or the presumptive fixed sentence under Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, whichever is greater, or the presumptive fixed sentence of no more than 40 years and/or a $1 million fine.

Upon making contact with Erickson, the officer noticed signs of deception and recent controlled substance use, according to an incident complaint report filed by the officer. The officer observed the driver was sweating profusely despite the temperature being 64 degrees, and he had bloodshot watery eyes and a raspy voice, according to the criminal complaint.

While running the motorist’s driver’s license, it was learned Erickson had a recent first-degree controlled substance charge from October 2023.

A K-9 sniff of the vehicle was conducted followed by a vehicle search yielding 311.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Officers also found cocaine, a large amount of cash, drug paraphernalia and an apparent ledger with 16 contacts, according to the criminal complaint

Elk River Police were assisted at the scene by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office.

Erickson was arrested and held at Sherburne County Jail until being arraigned on Friday, June 7.