Albert Lea man charged with meth possession

Published 9:40 am Thursday, February 25, 2016

An Albert Lea man is facing prison time after he was allegedly found walking on Interstate 90 early Wednesday morning with more than 16 grams of methamphetamine.

Manuel Velez Jr., 28, was charged in Freeborn County District Court later that morning with second-degree possession of methamphetamine.

Manuel Valez Jr.

Manuel Valez Jr.

According to court documents, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call for assistance at 3:25 a.m. regarding a person walking on I-90 in eastern Freeborn County.

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Upon arrival, the deputies reportedly found Velez walking west on the interstate. After a deputy asked what his name was and Velez responded, he was arrested on a warrant.

Deputies found a baggie with a white crystal substance in his left jacket pocket, which reportedly later field tested positive as methamphetamine and weighed approximately 16.4 grams.

Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab set Velez’s conditional bail at $40,000.

Velez’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 10.

Second-degree possession of methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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