Man pleads guilty to meth, firearms possession near park
Published 8:37 pm Friday, December 1, 2017
An Owatonna man who reportedly illegally possessed methamphetamine and firearms last month near Shorewood Hills Park pleaded guilty Friday in Freeborn County District Court.
Christopher Lynn Wright, 29, pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition or a firearm with a previous conviction for a crime of violence. Under the agreement, if Wright cannot pay the $20,000 bail set by Judge Steven Schwab, the agreement could be withdrawn.
As of press time, the agreement had not been withdrawn.
Court documents state Wright was charged after an Albert Lea police officer made contact with Wright and two other people who were in a vehicle Nov. 10 in a driveway 200 feet from Shorewood Hills Park. A Ziplock baggie of marijuana was reportedly recovered, and the officer was informed by Wright that drugs, guns and money inside the vehicle were his, court documents state.
What was described as “a large amount of cash” was found on Wright, and a black wallet with cash and a black bag with two handguns were also found.
A small plastic green jewelry bag inside a purse belonging to another occupant of the vehicle with white residue tested positive for meth and weighed approximately 1.9 grams, including the baggie.
The total amount of marijuana was reportedly 30.6 grams.
Sentencing is scheduled Feb. 15. Wright is expected to receive a prison sentence that at least meets the mandatory minimum five years.
Under the agreement, charges of third-degree meth possession in a park zone and having a firearm with an altered serial number will be dismissed.
As of Friday afternoon, Wright was in custody.