Charges of multiple drug offenses have been filed against the man who caused an armed standoff with the police, leading to the closure of I-35 near Faribault on Sunday.
A man named Donald Ray Sanderson, aged 44 and hailing from Minneapolis, is currently facing five felony charges. This comes after a standoff on I-35 with the police led to the discovery of approximately 44 lbs. of methamphetamine in his car. The street value of this amount of methamphetamine could well exceed $1 million.
The criminal complaint states that the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team (SMVCET) were informed that Sanderson was returning to Minnesota after a trip to California.
SMVCET was conducting an investigation on Sanderson regarding narcotics-related crimes. As part of the investigation, law enforcement attempted to stop Sanderson’s vehicle on Interstate 35 in Steele County by using stop sticks.
At approximately 2:44 p.m., he stopped at mile marker 37 and a 29-year-old woman got out of the vehicle. The car proceeded to travel north on I-35.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation, commonly known as MnDOT, is responsible for the state’s transportation system.
After being apprehended, the woman informed the officers that Sanderson was carrying a firearm in his vehicle. The police pursued him until he eventually halted his car at 2:57 p.m. near mile marker 57, located within the city boundaries of Faribault.
Negotiations were initiated after the individual refused to comply with the officers’ orders to drop the weapon, resulting in the closure of the interstate.
Sanderson made an attempt to shoot a drone at 6:52 p.m. Later, at 6:58 p.m., he tried to shoot himself under the chin. Unfortunately, he lost his firearm in the process and fled towards the east into an open field.
After being pursued by law enforcement, Sanderson was eventually apprehended thanks to the efforts of an Apple Valley K-9. The K-9 was instrumental in bringing down Sanderson, who was found to have hypodermic needles scattered throughout his vehicle, as well as white powder and pills on the driver’s seat. A warrant was obtained to search Sanderson’s car, which led to the discovery of these illegal substances.
During the search, law enforcement officials discovered a total of 14,944.3 grams of methamphetamine, along with 43 white oval pills that were identified as containing .25 mg of Alprazolam, and 7 rectangular white pills that were identified as containing 2 mg of Alprazolam. It is important to note that Alprazolam is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance.
Authorities discovered fake oxycodone tablets laced with fentanyl, in addition to seizing numerous cell phones and $293.
Sanderson cannot possess a firearm due to a prior conviction for a violent felony.
The maximum sentence he could receive if found guilty of all charges is 135 years in prison.
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