There have likely been many people in Minnesota and across the country who have made mistakes in their lives. Unfortunately, some of these mistakes may have led to a criminal history. Once a person has been convicted of a crime, it may be easy for law enforcement officials to assume that he or she will commit other offenses. In fact, a man with some past convictions now faces criminal charges stemming from a fatal drug overdose.
The charges follow the death of a 19-year-old male whose body was discovered next to a set of train tracks on a day in early June. Police apparently believe that a 34-year-old man sold the deceased the drugs that led to his death. Reports claim that the older man also sold drugs to another man who overdosed but survived; that man allegedly spent three days on a ventilator as a result.
The defendant in the case was arrested on a day in September. Though the man has past criminal convictions, none of his history is related to drug charges. As a result of these recent incidents, the man is now accused with causing great bodily harm by distribution of drugs, third-degree murder and distributing controlled substances. It is unclear what led investigators to the man or what evidence supports the allegations against him.
Unfortunately, many people facing criminal charges are unsure of their options. For example, some people may choose to fight charges in court while others may decide that accepting a plea deal — if offered — is the best course of action. Fortunately, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help defendants in Minnesota fully understand the decisions that they must make as well as the potential consequences, ensuring that they can make informed decisions about their case.