Minneapolis Man Sentenced to Probation in Rochester Drug Trafficking Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Olmsted County Judge ruled in favor of a Twin Cities man who was convicted in a Rochester drug trafficking case. 

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The Minneapolis man was accused of purchasing drugs in the Twin Cities then transporting them to Rochester to sell.

Rochester police busted him with a large quantity of drugs and cash in June of 2024 after he had arrived in Rochester from the Twin Cities, according to the criminal complaint in the case. 

Minneapolis Man Sentenced for Rochester Meth and Cocaine Bust

46-year-old Donald Paul Kimber was caught with 452.2 grams of methamphetamine, 40.1 grams of cocaine, 84.1 grams of a powder suspected of being used as a substance to cut the cocaine, $2,000 in cash, a scale and empty plastic baggies. 

The charges also say officers discovered the items during a traffic stop and subsequent search and that the drug weights included packaging. 

Read More: Suspected Drug Dealer Busted During Rochester Traffic Stop 

Kimber was charged with one count each of first-degree drug sales, first-degree drug possession and second-degree drug possession. 

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He entered a plea agreement in November, in which he agreed to plead guilty to the first-degree drug possession charge. 

Read More: Rochester Meth Trafficking Investigation Leads to Conviction 

Kimber also admitted to a DWI charge in a separate case in exchange for the dismissal of the two other felony drug counts and a second DWI charge from the other case. 

Judge Sides With Defense in Rochester Drug Trafficking Sentencing

Court records show the prosecution intended to seek a 75-month prison sentence while Kimber’s defense attorney planned to request a probationary sentence. 

On Thursday, the judge in the case sentenced Kimber to five years probation. 

A departure report included in the case file indicates Kimber was determined to be amenable to treatment. 

That determination is, “based on adequate evidence that offender is chemically dependent and has been accepted by, and can respond to, a treatment program,” the departure report states.