Convicted felon sentenced for drug charges

A Brainerd man has been sentenced to 150 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on April 26, 2022, a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper traffic stopped Kyle Vernon Elwell, 29, at a gas station in Motley, Minnesota. Elwell was arrested on an active warrant. Before his arrest, Elwell threw a pouch with approximately $7,995 onto the ground. The State Trooper also found a bag with 51 M-30 fentanyl pills on the ground. During a subsequent search of Elwell’s vehicle, law enforcement found approximately 834 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and an unserialized “ghost” handgun.

Elwell pleaded guilty on September 2, 2022, to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott prosecuted the case.