A Hastings man charged last month with felony drug possession after a July 6 traffic stop is facing a second felony drug charge following another encounter with Dakota County sheriff’s deputies one week later.
Alex John Snyder, 30, of Hastings, was charged July 30 with fifth-degree controlled substance possession, a felony, in Dakota County District Court. The new case stems from a July 13 traffic stop and is separate from a felony controlled substance case filed against Snyder July 23 following an incident one week earlier.
According to the July 30 criminal complaint, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed Snyder sitting in the passenger seat of a Honda CR-V traveling westbound on Highway 55 near Goodwin Avenue in Dakota County. Deputies said they recognized Snyder from previous law enforcement contacts and knew he had an active felony warrant out of Washington County.
The complaint states the registered owner of the Honda was identified by the initials H.S. Deputies also knew H.S. had a revoked driver’s license and reported seeing H.S. driving the vehicle.
Deputies initiated a traffic stop and took Snyder into custody because of the outstanding Washington County warrant, according to the complaint.
As Snyder was getting out of the vehicle, deputies alleged they saw him throw a black object onto the ground near the passenger-side door. Deputies collected the object and found a contact lens case inside the bag.
According to the complaint, the contact lens case contained a white powdery substance deputies believed to be a controlled substance. Investigators also reported finding drug paraphernalia in the left pocket of Snyder’s shorts.
The substance weighed approximately .62 grams and was tested using a NIK field test, according to the complaint. Investigators reported the substance tested presumptive positive for cocaine.
Snyder was charged with fifth-degree controlled substance possession. Prosecutors allege he unlawfully possessed a mixture containing a controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV. The charge is a felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine within the range provided by state law. Any sentence would be determined only if Snyder is convicted.
The July 13 incident occurred exactly one week after another traffic stop that resulted in a separate controlled substance charge against Snyder.
In the earlier case, a Dakota County sheriff’s deputy was on routine patrol near Vermillion Street and 15th Street East in Hastings shortly before midnight July 6 when the deputy observed a vehicle whose registered owner had a revoked driver’s license.
The driver in that case was also identified in the complaint as H.S., while Snyder was identified as the passenger. Deputies again reported that Snyder had an active Washington County arrest warrant and took him into custody.
According to the July 23 complaint, Snyder was searched after arriving at the Dakota County Jail. During the search, investigators alleged a container fell from Snyder’s private area.
Inside the container, deputies reported finding a white powdery substance and a white rock-like substance. The rock-like substance weighed approximately .30 grams and presumptively field tested positive for crack cocaine, while the powder weighed approximately .87 grams and presumptively tested positive for fentanyl.
The earlier complaint also states that Snyder gave investigators a Mirandized statement and admitted placing the container between his buttocks before the search. According to the complaint, Snyder told investigators he believed the container contained heroin and crack.
That case resulted in a separate fifth-degree controlled substance possession charge filed July 23 in Dakota County District Court.
While both complaints identify H.S. as the driver and Snyder as the passenger, the complaints list different license plate numbers for the vehicles involved. The July 6 complaint lists Minnesota plate HFM692, while the July 13 complaint lists Minnesota plate HRM692.
The July 30 complaint was signed by Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Joshua Fahey and approved by Prosecuting Attorney Maria Nowak. Judicial Officer Tracy Perzel found probable cause to support the charge and issued a summons requiring Snyder to appear in court.
The newer case is filed under court file number 19HA-CR-26-1077. The earlier case is filed under court file number 19HA-CR-26-1044.
The charges in both cases are allegations contained in criminal complaints. Snyder is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.