Albert Lea man faces drug felonies after traffic stop

Published 10:08 am Monday, October 3, 2016

A 33-year-old Albert Lea man faces three drug felonies and traffic charges after a speeding stop uncovered more than 730 pills.

Logan Michael Netzer pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County District Court to three felonies — second-degree drugs for 100 doses of an amphetamine and two fifth-degree possession charges — along with misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI and a petty misdemeanor for speeding.

According to a court complaint, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper clocked Netzer passing his squad car in a 2016 Mazda 6SP going 84 mph in a 70 mph zone of Interstate 90 in Dexter township at 11:04 a.m. on Sept. 22.

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After stopping Netzer, the trooper noticed his eyes were watery and bloodshot and his pupils were constricted. He spoke quickly and often changed subjects.

He told the trooper he was driving from his home in Albert Lea to his work in Rochester, but the trooper believed he was under the influence of a controlled substance.

When Netzer exited the car for field sobriety tests, the trooper noticed a large meat cleaver in his door pocket, which Netzer said was for self-defense.

The trooper found two prescription bottles through a pat search and then found another bottle and baggies in the car.

Troopers also found a black case Netzer said contained electronics and should “not be shaken like a Christmas present,” but troopers found pills in the bag.

In all, troopers found 334 amphetamine pills, a 398 Clonazepam pills. A small case contained was also found containing a white powder that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Netzer failed four field sobriety tests and was transferred to the Mower County jail, where he told authorities he arranged the pills in a way that he could keep track of how many there were, but he claimed he was not selling them.

Netzer is due for a pre-trial on April 14, 2017 and trial on April 24, 2017.