A 33-year-old rural Breezy Point man faces several felony criminal charges following an investigation by the FBI and Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office involving drug and weapon offenses.
Nicholas Ronald Wynn, 33, Pelican Township, was charged Friday, May 10, in Crow Wing County District Court with felony first-degree possession of drugs, felony possession of a firearm or ammunition, and felony committing a crime while possessing or wearing a bullet resistant vest.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Wynn, Crow Wing County sheriff's investigators learned in April the FBI was investigating Wynn, a felon who is not allowed to possess ammunition or weapons, and that the FBI intended to execute a search warrant at his residence.
On Wednesday, May 8, the FBI informed sheriff's investigators that they intended to take Wynn into custody at the Pequot Lakes Post Office when he arrived to pick up several packages. Wynn had been purchasing a number of suspicious items online, including body armor, various chemicals and gun parts.
Wynn was taken into custody without incident at the post office on Thursday, May 9. Pequot Lakes Police Chief Eric Klang posted on his department's Facebook page Thursday night about the law enforcement activity and to let the public know they were not in any danger. Klang also posted a male was arrested for suspicious activity.
ADVERTISEMENT
During a search of his residence, FBI agents found ammunition and a large quantity of narcotics.
Kevin Smith, public affairs officer for the FBI in Minneapolis, said the FBI couldn't comment on the case as Wynn's arrest is part of a larger, ongoing active investigation that at some point could entail federal charges.
Because narcotics were found, a second search warrant was executed at Wynn's residence by the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division, which found more than 2 pounds of methamphetamine, bullet proof vests, and chemicals and equipment to make meth.
Wynn admitted to investigators he was trying to make methamphetamine, according to the criminal complaint.
During an interview with FBI agents and Crow Wing County sheriff's, investigators Wynn said he had several weapons stored at a separate location and ammunition in his residence. He also said he did think about making a bomb to blow up his father's vehicle, but he didn't want to hurt his father.
Wynn has three prior felony convictions for possession of controlled substances, according to court records. He is being held at the Crow Wing County Jail.
"I am very pleased that Mr. Wynn has been apprehended and that no one, including law enforcement, was harmed," Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard said in a news release. "The charges are serious in this investigation and I couldn't be more appreciative to our deputies, local police departments and federal agencies involved. I want to reassure the public there is no current threat or danger stemming from this investigation."
Also assisting in the investigation were the Breezy Point Police Department, Brainerd Police Department and Crow Wing County Public Health.
