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10 <br />first murder charge against a drug dealer in a death of this type, and only a couple other <br />similar cases have been charged in Ramsey County. The original incident occurred at an <br />apartment in the 2200 block of Silver Lane in New Brighton. Officers had responded to a <br />report of a female who was unconscious and not breathing. Lifesaving efforts were <br />unsuccessful. Autopsy results showed Ritchie died of “Mixed Drug Toxicity” which <br />included Opiates, Fentanyl, morphine and mirtazapine. The charge quickl y elicited some <br />media attention. <br /> <br />Detective Lochen signed criminal complaint against a 57 year old Mounds View man for <br />one Felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, one Gross Misdemeanor count <br />of Possession of a Controlled Substance and one count of DWI. The Felony charge <br />carries a maximum sentence of 5 year and/or a $10,000 fine. The Gross Misdemeanor <br />charge carries a maximum sentence of 1 year and/or a $3,000 fine and the DWI carries a <br />maximum sentence of 90 days and or a $1,000 fine. <br /> <br />Detective DeBoer signed a criminal complaint against a 37 year old Blaine man for two <br />counts of mail theft. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 3 years and/or a $5,000 <br />fine. <br /> <br />Detective Voeller signed a criminal complaint against a 38 year old Ramsey man for a <br />felony level violation of a No Contact Order. The sentence carries a maximum sentence <br />of 5 year and/or a $10,000 fine. The Ramsey man has 3 previous qualifying convictions <br />in the past 10 years which makes this a felony level violation. <br /> <br />In December, our VCET officer assisted in the execution of a follow-up search warrant in <br />St. Paul where they located over 200 pounds of marijuana. This was a continuation <br />warrant from North Dakota where over 300 pounds of marijuana was recovered from a <br />vehicle. There was also approximately $110,000.00 in cash seized from this residence as <br />well. <br /> <br />In December, our VCET Officer was used to conduct an undercover operation at a <br />massage establishment in Vadnais Heights. The mayor and city manager had been <br />receiving complaints regarding illegal prostitution occurring at this business. The week <br />prior, he was the undercover officer but did not observe any illegal activity. But when he <br />inquired about having a sex act performed on him he was told by that masseuse to return <br />the next week to see a different masseuse. So he went again the following week. During <br />that investigation, our Officer was offered an illegal sex act. They then arrested that <br />masseuse as well as the owner/boss who was also on scene. Both were booked on G.M. <br />prostitution (enhanced due to the public access to the establishment). They located <br />several bank receipts upon taking them into custody that revealed one bank account with <br />$70k and another with $88k. And, upon speaking with the owner, she informed our <br />VCET officer that she had just deposited $250k toward her mortgage. All of these <br />proceeds were likely obtained through this massage parlor ring and the money portion of <br />the investigation was turned over to the criminal proceeds unit division of VCET. <br /> <br />Our VCET Officer assisted in the execution of a search warrant in St. Paul. The team <br />members recovered five pounds of methamphetamine. The entry into the residence was <br />delayed for almost four minutes due to two unsecured and very aggressive pit bulls inside <br />the house with an as uncooperative resident also inside the house. Eventually, they safely