Rochester Drug Bust Leads to $200K Bail for Suspect

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Bail has been set at $200,000 for a Rochester man who was arrested in a drug bust this week.

Out on Bail at the Time of His Arrest

58-year-old Michael Daniel Barrington was charged Thursday in Olmsted County Court with first-degree drug sales, first-degree drug possession, and second-degree drug possession stemming from a separate investigation.. His arrest on Tuesday occurred while he was out on bail in the case involving the seizure of nearly 50 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Rochester in January. He is facing first-degree drug sales and 2nd-degree drug possession in that case.

Accused of Selling to Police Informant Last Winter

According to the criminal complaint, Rochester police had probable cause to arrest Barrington in connection with an investigation from December of last year, during which he allegedly sold approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine to a police informant. The court document says he was located Tuesday afternoon in a vehicle, and detectives initiated a traffic stop.

Significant Meth Stash Found During Traffic Stop

The charges say detectives noticed an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and alleged that a small bag of suspected methamphetamine fell from Barrington's person when he stepped out of the vehicle. That led to a search of the vehicle and the discovery of multiple bags containing more than 110 grams of methamphetamine.

Court records show that Barrington was previously convicted of third-degree drug charges in 2019 and 2021.

More Minnesota News:

These Common Household Items Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew

Filed Under: drugs, Local Crime Coverage, methamphetamine, Olmsted County, Rochester Minnesota, Rochester Police Department

Categories: Local News