Guilty Plea Reached in Major Southeast Minnesota Drug Bust

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News)- The woman charged in a major southeast Minnesota drug bust has entered a guilty plea.

Read More: Search Warrant Leads to Major Cocaine Bust in Southeast Minnesota

The criminal complaint filed in Winona County Court in December says law enforcement executed search warrants for the woman’s vehicle, residence and person on Dec. 15.

Winona Police stopped the woman after she was seen leaving her apartment in a vehicle moments before the search warrant service in Winona.

Get our free mobile app

The court document says the woman, identified as 49-year-old Tanya Sherrice McCain, told the officer she had a revolver inside of her apartment.

Police found the gun and also located a large bag near the firearm containing 619.31 grams of suspected cocaine that was spread out in five smaller bags inside of the large bag.

Facebook/Winona Police Department

Law enforcement also seized two digital scales, a money counting machine, plastic packaging commonly used for drugs and $8,000 in cash, the court document says.

A search of McCain’s person led to the discovery of an additional 13.09 grams of suspected cocaine that was spread out in 13 different ziplock baggies.

McCain complaint. Winona County Court

Officers also found a little over $1,000 in additional cash inside of her purse, the charges say.

McCain was initially charged in Winona County Court with a count of felon in possession of a firearm and a felony count of a first-degree controlled substance crime possession of cocaine with a firearm.

McCain complaint. Winona County Court

The drug count was amended to a third-degree drug charge. On Thursday McCain agreed to plead guilty to both charges in exchange for a downward sentencing departure that would result in a stayed prison sentence, court records say.

McCain’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for early October.

More Minnesota News:

5 Myths About Tornadoes You Shouldn't Believe

Sioux Falls, South Dakota may not be smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley, but we still get our share of severe thunderstorms. Thunder, rain, lighting, and tornadoes are all possible.

The thing about tornadoes is that they are very destructive and very rare. Most people probably won’t even see an actual twister in their life. But if they do, it can mean devastation.

We don’t need to be at battle stations all spring and summer and freak out every time it gets cloudy.

We do need to think, prep, and pay attention.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns