A pair of Rochester brothers are in jail after a drug bust last week by the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics and Gang Task Force.
Robert Lee Crum, 38, and Michael Lee Crum, 35, both appeared Thursday in Olmsted County District Court, where Robert has been charged with one count of first-degree drug sale, four counts of second-degree controlled substance crime and one count of third-degree drug sale, all felonies.
Michael Crum faces one felony count of first-degree drug sale.
They remain in custody in lieu of $200,000 bond; both are scheduled to be back in court June 30.
The charges stem from a series of controlled drug buys by a confidential informant for the narcotics and gang task force.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to the criminal complaint, the informant purchased a gram of cocaine from Robert Crum on May 7. The informant said Crum searched him for "bugs" before selling him the drug.
On June 2, the informant made arrangements to buy more drugs, but Crum allegedly said they needed to go to his brother Michael's house to get the crack cocaine. The report says the informant was sold 4.5 grams of cocaine, including packaging.
During that transaction, Robert Crum allegedly told the informant that he was no longer selling small amounts of drugs, and that the minimum was $400-$500.
Two more controlled drug buys were arranged for June 10. Combined, the sales totaled 8.1 grams and resulted in $1,000 exchanging hands between the informant and Robert Crum, the complaint says.
The four buys outlined in the criminal complaint cost $1,600 and involved more than 13 grams of crack cocaine.
A search warrant was executed June 13 at Robert Crum's residence, 212 13th St. S.E. Inside, officers reportedly found a plastic bag containing crack cocaine, floating in a toilet bowl. They also located a can of black pepper in the bathroom that contained several small bags of crack cocaine.
Investigators also located a notebook with people's names and dollar amounts next to them which, according to the criminal complaint, appeared to be a "drug ledger" used by dealers to record people who owe the dealer money. Crum's wallet contained nearly $1,500 in cash, the report says.
He allegedly told investigators he has bills to pay and that he sold "crack cocaine to pay my bills."
ADVERTISEMENT
Crum's criminal history reflects controlled substance crime convictions in 2003 and 2012.
