Minnesota Man Convicted of Assaulting Police Officer One of Two Charged in Rochester Drug Bust

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A recent traffic stop in Rochester has led to drug charges against two people. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Thursday. 

Court records indicate one of the two people was previously convicted of assaulting a police officer. 

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An Olmsted County Sheriff’s Deputy made the traffic stop that led to the drug discovery in northwest Rochester on Wednesday. The vehicle had expired registration, court documents say. 

Rochester, MN Traffic Stop Leads to Cocaine & Gun Bust, Man Convicted of Assaulting Police Officer Among Two Charged

32-year-old Che Nathaniel Jones and 23-year-old Rina Kaylee Smith are each charged with a count of first-degree drug possession. Jones is also facing a weapons violation charge. 

Upon making contact with the vehicle the deputy noticed the smell of marijuana, the charges say. Jones produced a grinder with marijuana in it and the deputy initiated a search of the vehicle. 

The search led to the discovery of 135.2 grams of suspected cocaine found in two different baggies, a digital scale with cocaine residue, a loaded handgun and a loose bullet, according to court documents. 

There were also two bags in the center council containing a combined 50.3 grams of marijuana and $220 cash inside of a purse, the complaints say. 

Jones was convicted of first-degree assault of a police officer in St. Louis County in 2018, according to court records.

He was granted a downward departure and was serving the supervised release portion of the 10-year prison term he was sentenced to at the time of the alleged drug bust. 

Both Rochester residents are scheduled to make their first court appearances on Friday morning.