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Last modified: Friday, February 20, 2009 4:28 PM CST
Gonzalez arrested for pot possession
by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
A Breckenridge resident who was arrested after suspicion of marijuana possession with intent to sell a controlled substance made his first appearance at Wilkin County Courthouse on Thursday.
Jose Angel Gonzalez, 49, is being held on two third degree felony counts, each carrying a minimum of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. His next scheduled court hearing is Feb. 24 at 11:45 a.m.
Gonzalez was arrested Tuesday after Breckenridge law enforcement recovered approximately 12 pounds of marijuana during execution of a search warrant at a residence at 213 11th St. North, Breckenridge. He was on probation after being convicted in late 2007 for possessing a firearm. Gonzalez was released July 2008.
According to court documents, a SEMCA agent reported a suspicious package addressed to Paul Hendricks had been intercepted by Federal Express. After SEMCA agents determined the box contained marijuana, the package was delivered to the residence and accepted by a woman who identified herself as Mary McLaren. She stated Hendricks lived at the residence.
Later, SEMCA agents and the West Central Minnesota Drug Task Force executed the search warrant. Agents found the FedEx box open and a cellophane package of marijuana sitting on the living room. Items found by officers included $330, a digital scale and a few smoking pipes.
Officers interviewed Gonzalez, who denied knowing about the cardboard box or its contents. They also interviewed McLaren and her son, Dan McLaren, Jr., who said he assisted Gonzalez in collecting money for marijuana that Gonzalez sold. McLaren Jr. said he had seen Gonzalez in possession of at least $5,000 in cash at one time and suspected it was from marijuana sales. He said he knew Gonzalez was at the home to ensure he could be there when the package arrived.
Mary McLaren acknowledged she was aware Gonzalez was dealing marijuana and watched him open the package. A juvenile, also present at the residence, was interviewed and stated being suspicious of Gonzalez shipping marijuana to the residence.
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