Rochester Man Caught With Half Pound of Meth Accepts Plea Deal

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A fugitive caught with more than a half-pound of methamphetamine in Rochester earlier this year has pleaded guilty.

Fugitive Arrest Ends With Guilty Plea

Thirty-year-old David Jeremy Atchison today entered into a plea agreement in Olmsted County court and admitted to a charge of first-degree drug possession. Under the terms of his plea deal, two other felony charges, first-degree drug sales and receiving stolen property, were dismissed.

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Alerted by Police in La Crosse

The criminal complaint against the Rochester man says he was arrested on February 10 after Rochester police received information from the La Crosse, Wisconsin, Police Department that Atchison, who was wanted on an active warrant issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, was believed to be in Rochester using a stolen vehicle. The information also indicated that he was likely armed.

The court document says the stolen SUV was located by Rochester police near the Med City Hotel in the 400 block of 16th Avenue Northwest. Rochester police then surrounded the vehicle and took Atchison into custody.

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In Rochester to Buy Drugs

According to the charges, Atchison told the arresting officers that he had come to Rochester to purchase methamphetamine and that they would find multiple ounces of the drug in the SUV. He also stated that he did not believe there were any weapons in the vehicle.

TSM photo by Aaron Galloway. Stock image

Rochester Police Seized More Than Half-Pound of Meth

The criminal complaint states that a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 258 grams of methamphetamine, 1.3 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale with methamphetamine residue, a .22-caliber pistol, and miscellaneous rounds of ammunition.

Plea Deal Calls For Years in Prison

The plea agreement indicates Atchison and prosecutors have agreed to jointly recommend a 95-month prison sentence. His sentencing hearing is scheduled next week.

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