Rochester Man Gets Nearly 8 Years For Large Meth Bust

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man who was busted with nearly a half-pound of methamphetamine earlier this year has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.

Rochester Man Sentenced in Major Methamphetamine Case

Thirty-year-old David Jeremy Atchison recently entered into a plea agreement and admitted to a first-degree drug possession charge. His plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors that resulted in the dismissal of felony counts of first-degree drug sales and receiving stolen property.

La Crosse Police Tip Led to Rochester Arrest

Atchison was arrested in February after Rochester police received information from police in La Crosse, Wisconsin, that Atchison was in Rochester using a stolen vehicle. The information, which stated that Atchison was wanted on an active warrant, also indicated that he was likely armed.

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The criminal complaint says the stolen SUV was located by Rochester police near the Med City Hotel adjacent to the Highway 52 and Civic Center Drive interchange. Police responded by surrounding the vehicle and taking Atchison into custody.

Meth, Fentanyl, Gun, and Ammunition Recovered

According to the court document, Atchison told the arresting officers that he was in Rochester to purchase drugs and that they would find methamphetamine in the SUV. A search of the vehicle resulted in 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.