Law Enforcement Fentanyl Buys Lead to Drug Charges Against Rochester Business Owner

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A series of controlled buys has led to multiple drug charges against a Rochester man. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Friday. The Rochester Police Department conducted the buys and part of a multi-month narcotics investigation. 

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his business following the buys, the court document says. 

4 Controlled Fentanyl Buys Lead to Drug Charges Against Rochester Man

51-year-old Darnell Brown is charged with first-degree drug sales, four counts of third-degree drug sales and a count of fifth-degree drug possession. 

The complaint says police conducted four controlled buys between February and May of this year. Brown sold a combined 12.4 grams of fentanyl during the transactions, the charges allege. 

On Wednesday, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brown’s business, which is located in the 900 block of 1st Ave. Southeast. During the search, investigators found $2,192 in cash and 1.2 grams of presumptive positive fentanyl on Brown’s person, the charges say. 

Court records indicate Brown was convicted of second-degree drug sales in Olmsted County in 2018. 

The criminal complaint in that case alleged he sold more than three grams of heroin to a police informant in August of 2017. He was sentenced to 67 months in prison. 

Brown made his first court appearance in the case on Friday and posted $15,000 conditional bail. He’s due back in court in September.