Rochester man faces level 2 felony dealing charge after 170 grams of methamphetamine found during Family Express theft call

A Plymouth man is facing a Level 2 felony charge of dealing methamphetamine after officers responding to a reported theft at Family Express discovered more than 170 grams of the drug in his possession during the investigation.

On Wednesday, August 12th, at 6:59 a.m., Officer Wally Derifield and other units of the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to the Family Express at 1351 South Michigan Street in Plymouth for a suspected theft. City officers were directed to look for a male wearing a red shirt and shorts with lots of tattoos. Officer Derifield entered the store and located a male matching that description at the register.

The male was identified as Brandon Thomas King, 35, of 9^th Street in Rochester. When officers asked King to step outside to talk, they noticed that both of his shorts' pockets were full of items. Staff at Family Express had reported that King was stealing from the store, which Officer Derifield communicated to him. King denied stealing anything and began pulling items from his right pocket, but repeatedly avoided his left pocket.

When asked what was in his left pocket, King became increasingly hesitant, telling officers they could not check that pocket. Officers then instructed King to place his hands behind his back, at which point he began to resist. After a brief struggle, officers were able to place King in handcuffs.

A quick outer clothing pat-down revealed a large hard item in King's left pocket. Officers removed a black baggy containing a clear baggy with a white crystal substance inside, along with a red torch lighter. After being read his Miranda rights, King admitted that the substance was methamphetamine and that it was for personal use.

King was transported to the Marshall County Jail and lodged on the charges. Officer Derifield subsequently took the substance to the Plymouth Police Department for weighing and identification. The white crystal-like substance weighed 170.3 grams and field tested positive for methamphetamine. The substance, along with the lighter and baggy, was placed into evidence.

The Marshall County Prosecutor's Office has filed charges of Dealing Methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony and Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class A Misdemeanor against King. His cash bond was set at $100,000.  

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed. The accused is presumed innocent throughout all proceedings and is entitled to be represented by counsel and to a trial by jury, at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before any judgment of guilt may be made.