Commander Jay Salzer advised that on January 8th, 2019, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force conducted a search warrant in the 1300 block of 9th Avenue South, in the City of St. Cloud. Investigators had information that Linda Ann Merritt, 62, from St. Cloud had a quantity of methamphetamine inside her residence and they knew Merritt had multiple felony warrants for her arrest. Investigators knew Merritt was inside her residence when they executed the search warrant. Inside the residence, investigators located approximately 150 grams of methamphetamine.
Merritt was ultimately arrested for 1st degree possession of controlled substance and five outstanding warrants. The warrants were for 2nd degree controlled substance, 3 warrants for 3rd degree controlled substance, and 4th degree DUI. Merritt was transported to Stearns County jail. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force was assisted by Stearns County Probation. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of Investigators from St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, and Little Falls Police Departments and deputies from Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Todd and Morrison County Sheriff Offices.