A Hastings man has been charged in Dakota County District Court after authorities say he fled from officers during the execution of a search warrant and was later tied to suspected methamphetamine found inside the residence.

Brandon Robert Kaase, 34, of Hastings, has been charged with felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime and misdemeanor fleeing a peace officer, other than in a motor vehicle. The complaint was filed June 11 in Dakota County District Court.

According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Nov. 14, 2025, at a residence on the 500 block of Kendall Drive in Hastings. Kaase was listed as the target of the investigation. Authorities said they knew Kaase had active warrants at the time and believed he may have been living at the residence. Officers also suspected Kaase was involved in criminal activity.

As officers approached the residence, the complaint states that Kaase fled out of a lower-level window. He then ran from the residence before being apprehended shortly afterward.

After Kaase was secured, officers searched the home. According to the complaint, Kaase was the only person located inside the residence when the search warrant was executed.

During the search, officers focused in part on a lower-level bedroom. Authorities believed it was the bedroom Kaase exited from when he attempted to evade officers. In that room, officers reported finding a substance inside a closet that field tested positive for methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The substance weighed approximately 9.32 grams, according to the complaint.

Officers also reported finding a box of ammunition inside the closet, a single bullet on a ledge, a single bullet on the floor inside the closet and a magazine for a pistol. The complaint also states that officers located a blue .380 Ruger EC9s pistol containing ammunition on a wall mount below the window.

In a statement to law enforcement, Kaase indicated that he ran from the residence after seeing officers approaching, according to the complaint.

The felony controlled substance charge alleges that on or about Nov. 14, 2025, Kaase unlawfully possessed one or more mixtures containing a controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV, except a small amount of marijuana. Under Minnesota law, the charge carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.

The misdemeanor fleeing charge alleges that Kaase attempted to evade or elude a peace officer, who was acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty, by running, hiding or another means other than fleeing in a motor vehicle. That charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a fine ranging from $300 to $1,000.

The complaint was submitted by Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Matt Wayne, who signed the document electronically on June 10. Prosecuting attorney Christopher A. Zielinski approved the complaint on June 9.

Dakota County District Court Judge Luis Morales found probable cause to support the charges on June 10. The court issued a summons ordering Kaase to appear as directed in a notice of hearing. The summons states that if Kaase fails to appear, a warrant for his arrest shall be issued.

The case is filed in Dakota County District Court under court file number 19HA-CR-26-825.