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Ex-cop, fireman faces meth charges
Task force says it found pipes, bag
Published Thursday, August 28, 2008
Former Albert Lea firefighter and part-time New Richland police officer Alan Nielsen was charged in Freeborn County District Court Monday with third-degree burglary and fifth-degree possession of methamphetamine. After law enforcement officials searched Nielsen’s house Tuesday as part of an investigation, more charges are expected to be filed later this week.
Corey Farris, the South Central Drug Task Force officer with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, said Nielsen, 32, has been investigated for meth manufacturing and sale of meth, along with a burglary.
At 12:30 a.m. Sunday, a Freeborn County sheriff’s deputy pulled Nielsen over because of the suspicion into a burglary, Farris said.
Two meth pipes and a bag with meth residue on it were in plain view on the floor of the vehicle and Nielsen and his passenger, Trevor Hovlund, were arrested and brought into the Freeborn County Government Center, he said.
Nielsen was charged Monday with the burglary and possession charges, and Hovlund was released without charges because of evidence of the crime, Farris said.
Following this, Farris and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies continued the investigation and obtained a search warrant for Nielsen’s property south of Albert Lea.
During the search at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, they found two stolen ATV four wheelers — one from Leland, Iowa, and the other from St. Ansgar, Iowa — along with materials related to meth manufacturing, including remnants of a gas generator.
The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office filed charges on Nielsen for these discoveries, and the file is awaiting review by the Freeborn County Attorney.
Nielsen was released from jail on conditions of the court.
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Comments
Posted by the_truth (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now THERE'S a surprize!
Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Law enforcement at it's best...
Posted by menace56 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 9:34 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by janis (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He's a real estate agent with Century 21 Obryne. Way to go ALPD!!!
Posted by mommyof4 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow what a surprise when you thought someone has turned their life around to get away from that bad reputation!
Posted by albertlea1 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He is not currently a real estate agent with Century 21 Obyrne Real Estate and has not worked for them for quite some time.
Posted by janis (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It appears that the Real Estate Today magazine in July 2008 he was working there. His picture is in the Century 21 O'Byrne ad. So obviously it has not been that long ago that he worked there. Last Month!???!!!!!
Posted by shedaisy (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad... Alan is a likable guy but I guess some things never change. And Trevor, you need to stay out of trouble!
Posted by Momma23 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Likeable or not, this guy was in possession of our stolen four wheeler and yes, he will be prosecuted-plain and simple-and he will spend time in jail. Whether he came into our garage and stole it or whether one of his drug friends did, our sense of safety and security has been changed forever. Yes, we have gotten our four wheeler back (damaged, torn apart, accessories removed, covered in filth and possibly drug making chemicals) but it is not so easy to get back that sense of security you wish to have in your own HOME. I wish people would think about the people (and CHILDREN) involved when they commit crimes. He should have had to look at our kids' faces when they found out their "toy" had been stolen from our home-although from the type of character this guy obviously is, I don't want him anywhere near my children. We have worked hard for the things we have and some people are obviously too lazy to do the same. Amazing what drugs will do to a person. I am glad not all law enforcement or fire fighters are not like this guy-there are still some who can be trusted. Thank you to the Freeborn County Sherrif's Dept for all their work and help in this process.
Posted by tycoon (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Allan Nielsen worked for Century 21 in the past. He did not renew his license in June. He was not active for several months before that. Allan is my friend. He strived to be agood family man. He worked hard. Its amazing what drugs will do to a persons personality.
Posted by crazy1 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alan IS a good guy who unfortunately fell into a bad situation. He is NOT evil the way you guys make him seem and he is NOTHING like his father. who are you to pass judgment unless you know all the facts about him? This is proof that drugs can take over the best people, it has no boundaries! We stand by you Alan, do what's right. Go get the help you need.
Posted by janis (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So if he was not a licensed real estate agent working for Century 21 in July, then why is his picture in the Century 21 Real Estate Today magazine ad for July 2008? There is even a house listed in the ad under his name on Academy. Isn't that false advertising?
Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those of you sticking up for Alan, obviously you are in denial--friends/family--but I've known him since elementary, and he's always been a thief. He literally stole the shirt off my back when we were younger. There were no drugs involved back then, just a stupid kid. Quit making excuses for him. He was a person of authority. No excuse, throw the book at him. I feel bad for his children, small town, school about to start, just imagine the ridicule. Alan if you can't stop acting like a fool for yourself, try for your kids and hope they don't learn from your actions. Sad.
Posted by Austin (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alan doesn't have any kids. Just a betrayed and embarrassed wife. I agree that drugs make you behave differently but he was the one who made the decision to do them in the first place. And anyone living on this planet knows that drugs are bad. Especially since he was a police officer and saw the effects first hand. No excuses.
Posted by mommyof4 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
outoftowner- Alan has no children of his own!! you may be thinking of his brothers they have children!
Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought he had stepkids, my mistake. Thankfully he doesn't, otherwise they would also be his victims.
Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's not be naive. He's not the only officer of the law (ex or not) to engage in illegal activities. He's apparently just one of the few unlucky ones to get caught. I don't know the guy, but as in every tragedy or incident, somebody comes forth to say what a 'nice' or 'good' person this individual was. Unfortunately, nice and good don't get you through everyday life. What gets you through is being an upstanding person (i.e. not being a thief or drug dealer) and doing what's RIGHT. This just proves people get away with things over and over...but can get caught too! Regardless of your social status!!!
Posted by tim (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Alan is a good guy and always was. I think most of the people need to look in the mirror and look at what they have done. Everybody makes mistakes and can learn from them. I know I have. I think the guy is going threw a rough time already without everybody talking about him. Let's just leave it as the guy made a mistake an will became a better person because of it.
Posted by papavan (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How many stolen four wheelers and drug charges whould it take to keep the average person in jail ?
Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, didn't he win 100k from the lottery at his old gas station on Broadway not to long ago, after scanning the winning ticket and selling the rest of us the junk, after he'd already scanned them? What ever happened to it?
Posted by willump (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, he did win the big money, a week or two after the 1st $10K!! Probably started the habit. The State Gambling Board should look closer at this guy. I agree with "outoftowner"!!!
Posted by metisman (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
finally
Posted by albertlea1 (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The truth is most families have been touched by addiction in one way or another. Nobody ever wants to grow up to be an addict. I'm sure this has been a long haul for the family and friends that are involved in his life. Remember everything happens for a reason and something VERY positive can come out of this.
Posted by MrFlamewolf (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel very bad for his wife. I just hope she will be ok. i known both alan and his wife for a long time. In his yonger days he could get in trouble that easy but this time i dont know. he could be looking at 15 yrs plus if everything sticks.
Posted by kabosh (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
stop the commenting on his old man, that is my dad also. no more comments please!!!!!
Posted by onceupop_ucantstop (anonymous) on September 27, 2008 at 5:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alan,
I am sorry that you were ever introduced to this horrible life style. I love you and KNOW THAT YOU REALLY ARE A GREAT GUY. I am sooo sorry that all these idiots dont have anything better to do than sit and talk down about others problems, addictions, and life. YOU ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. YOUR PATHETIC!!!!!
I am 25 and have lived a LONG life of addiction and am still struggling. Alan, only one person can judge you and I know he is there for you and so am I and many others.
Anyway, take care, get help, I love you, dont ever forget about me and any time you need a shoulder to cry on, I will be here for you.
Posted by bjhubbell23 (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 3:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First off... the people of Albert Lea need to stop talking about stuff they have no idea about. Next I live in a city that has much more going on... Within the last 24 hours Cole Puffinburger was taken from his home and his mother was tied up. Two men kidnapped this young child! This is NEWS!!! Age 6 Height 3' 11" Weight 48LBS This is no joke!!! Get over your wanna be drug dealers and focus on the real issues!!! http://amberalert.com/ I lived in Albert Lea. It is a great town... but there is more going on in the world!!! Help Coles mother find her son!
Cole Puffinburger was Last seen wearing a black John Cena sweatshirt, dark jeans, black Vans tennis shoes, and silver-rimmed glasses.
The suspect has shoulder length hair that is slicked back. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
This may have happened in Vegas but show you care!!!
What would you want if your child was taken??
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