An Albert Lea man charged in Freeborn County District Court for possessing substantial amounts of methamphetamine pleaded guilty on Monday.

Marlin Lee Risnes, 35, pleaded guilty in one file to third-degree drug possession. In a second file, he pleaded guilty to second-degree meth possession.

Court documents state Risnes was charged in the first file after an on-duty Albert Lea officer assisted a Department of Corrections agent Jan. 12 on a probation search on Spartan Avenue.

The probationer, who reportedly tested positive for meth, was known to Risnes. After the officer arrived, Risnes left after an officer told him he could leave.

The search of the probationer’s home reportedly found a meth pipe, butane lighters, propane torches, a digital scale and files with white residue on them, court documents state. The probationer reportedly admitted she intended to use meth with Risnes, and he allegedly told her he had bought meth.

A bookbag Risnes had taken when he left the residence was reportedly found with several items, including what later tested positive as 29.76 grams of meth in two baggies.

Risnes was charged with second-degree meth possession after an on-duty Albert Lea officer on Feb. 3 noticed Risnes walking south on Newton Avenue. The officer reportedly recognized Risnes had an arrest warrant, and Risnes allegedly fled from the officer on foot.

Court documents Risnes dropped several items when he fled the officer, including a box with three baggies of methamphetamine totaling 46.6 grams. Risnes reportedly had a baseball bat up his sleeve, and a drug pipe and a scale that tested positive for meth was found. Suspected marijuana was also found, court documents state.

District Court Judge Ross Leuning released Risnes pending sentencing, and as of Wednesday Risnes was in the Adult & Teen Challenge treatment program. 

Sentencing on the two files is scheduled for Feb. 8.

Risnes faces a presumptive sentence of nearly five years in prison to nearly seven years in prison, said Freeborn County Attorney David Walker, contingent on the accuracy of Risnes’ criminal history score. Walker expects Risnes’ lawyer to request a probationary sentence.