Guilty Plea in Rochester Drug Case Involving $100K Cash and Gun

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man convicted of a first-degree drug charge connected to a raid conducted earlier this year by the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team is being given a chance to erase the conviction from his criminal record.

According to Olmsted County court records, 21-year-old Koby Glen Heil entered a guilty plea to the charge on Thursday. It involved the seizure of several hundred cannabis vape cartridges during the execution of a “knock and announce” search warrant at an apartment in the 2700 block of Commerce Drive Northwest in May. The criminal complaint says the seized drugs weighed a total of 3½ pounds.

Search Also Turned Up $100K Cash and an Untraceable Gun

The court document says the search also led to the discovery of more than $100,000 in cash, a cash counter, a heat sealer, and a large amount of cannabis packaging. A safe was also found in the residence containing a pistol with no serial number and an empty Glock 9mm ammunition magazine.

Heil was charged with first-degree drug possession, possession of a firearm with no serial number, and a misdemeanor count of third-degree sale of cannabis concentrate. Under his plea agreement, the firearm and drug sale charges were dropped.

Prosecutors Seek Forfeiture of Cash Seized in Drug Bust

He has been sentenced to two years on probation. Heil was also given a stay of adjudication, which means the felony conviction could be removed from his criminal record if he complies with the terms of his probation.

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The more than $100,000 in cash seized in the drug raid is currently being targeted for forfeiture to the government under a civil lawsuit filed by the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office.