Northfield Man Faces Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

A 21-year-old Northfield man reportedly pulled over by Farmington police on Highway 3 in January has been charged with several crimes.

Joshua Lee Roder has been charged with two counts of felony fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor failure to produce proof of insurance as result of the traffic stop.

According to a Dakota County criminal summons released this week:

At about 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 17, Roder was the driver of a vehicle that police observed floating from the center line to the shoulder on southbound Highway 3 near 225th Street West in Farmington. Police stopped the car south of 240th Street. Roder and a passenger were in the car.

While speaking with Roder, police detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Roder reportedly told police that the vehicle was insured, but he had not placed the new insurance card in the car.

Police allegedly saw a small plastic bag and a bag that typically contains synthetic marijuana in the center console. The officer asked Roder and the passenger to exit the vehicle so it could be searched, and Roder allegedly grabbed both bags.

Eventually, Roder handed over the bag that contained the synthetic marijuana, then allegedly dropped the other bag to the ground before he was searched by police.

Preliminary tests revealed the bags contained 2.63 grams of synthetic cannabis and 0.33 grams of methamphetamine. Both are controlled substances.

Each of the felony counts is punishable by up to five years in jail and/or a fine of between $3,000 and $10,000. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine up between $300 and $1,000.