Faribault Standoff Defendant One of Two Charged in Major Rochester Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News)- A man charged in a standoff that led to the discovery of 44 pounds of methamphetamine in Faribault earlier this summer is among two people charged in a federal indictment. 

Read More: Charges: I-35 Standoff Suspect's Car Contained 44 Pounds of Meth

That’s according to a news release issued Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Minnesota. 

The indictment accuses the defendants of conspiring to distribute drugs in the Rochester area. 

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On July 31, law enforcement attempted to stop a vehicle that was the subject of a drug trafficking investigation on I-35 in Faribault. 

The driver, identified as 41-year-old Donald Ray Sanderson of Minneapolis, refused to stop and led authorities on a chase that ended when the vehicle he was driving became severely damaged by stop sticks, according to a criminal complaint filed in Rice County. 

Court documents say Sanderson emerged from his vehicle with a firearm, fired a round into the ground and refused to release the gun. 

Authorities then shut down the freeway for about four hours until Sanderson attempted to shoot down a drone and shoot himself, according to the complaint. 

Sanderson lost the gun and fled on foot into a nearby farm field where he was eventually captured. He was charged in Rice County last month. 

Feds: Man Charged in Faribault Standoff & Woman Conspired to Distribute Meth and Fentanyl in the Rochester Area

Federal court documents say law enforcement also found more than 200 fentanyl-laced pills along with the massive amount of meth in the vehicle Sanderson allegedly fled in last month. 

The indictment alleges Sanderson and 29-year-old Lindsey Wade Stolpa were working together to conduct a fentanyl and meth trafficking operation in the Rochester area. 

Sanderson and Stopla are each facing federal charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Sanderson is also facing a federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm. Court records indicate he has multiple prior felony convictions. 

The news release says the duo was previously charged in the case via a federal court complaint that was filed in July.

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