Two Charged after Authorities Seize of One Pound of Meth from Vehicle

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Yesterday, Feb. 22, 2017, Christopher George Nytes, 35, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, along with Morgan Marie Scheff, 25, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, appeared in Itasca County District Court, according to Itasca County Attorney John J. Muhar.

They were both charged with one count of Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree after both were arrested on February 20 when Nytes’ vehicle was stopped by a Minnesota State Trooper and nearly one pound of methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle.

After objections from the prosecutor, the court set bail for Nytes in the amount of $150,000 without conditions, $75,000 with conditions or $50,000 with conditions including compliance with a drug testing program. Scheff’s bale was set at $150,000 without conditions or $75,000 with conditions, including compliance with a drug testing program.

Both are expect back in court on February 27 at 9:30 a.m.

FULL CRIMINAL COMPLAINT:

On February 20, 2017 at 12:50 a.m., Trooper McLeod was stopped in a  marked squad car facing westbound on Highway 169 in Coleraine with a stalled vehicle. Said trooper noted that Highway 169 at this point was a divided four lane highway, and that said trooper had activated the rear emergency light bar on her squad car directing traffic to the left. Said trooper noted that a white Buick traveled westbound in the right lane and passed the squad car in violation of the “Move Over Law.”

Said trooper later initiated a traffic stop of the white Buick vehicle on Highway 169 in Coleraine and identified the driver and registered owner as Christopher George Nytes. Said trooper noted that the front passenger, later identified as Morgan Marie Scheff, was frantically looking in the glove compartment, that her movements were jerky, and that she appeared to be highly impaired by drugs.

Said trooper advised Nytes of the reason for the stop. Nytes stated that they were coming from a friend’s house and Scheff stated they were going to get cigarettes. Said trooper noted that Scheff’s pupils were unnaturally large and did not normally react to a flashlight shined directly into her eyes. Said trooper noted that this is an indicator of drug use. Said trooper asked Scheff when she last used drugs, and said trooper noted that Scheff would not give a clear answer and became someone agitated.

Said trooper received information that Scheff had a warrant for her arrest. Scheff was searched and a cap to a hypodermic needle was located in her pocket. Scheff was arrested and later transported to jail. 

Said trooper asked Nytes if there was anything in the vehicle that said trooper needed to be concerned about or any drugs and Nytes state “no.” Said trooper noted that Nytes refused to consent to a search of his vehicle and noted that Nytes was reluctant to get out of his vehicle. 

Officer O’Brien and his canine partner conducted an exterior search of the vehicle, and said officer noted that his canine showed a positive indication for controlled substances. 

Said trooper and other officers searched the vehicle and located a duffle bag behind the driver’s seat and an army green toiletry bag on top of the duffle bag. Said trooper noted that the toiletry bag contained a large amount of suspected methamphetamine. 

Nytes was searched and said trooper located about $1,400 cash on his person. Nytes was arrested and transported to jail. 

A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, and officers noted that the green toiletry bag contained a baggie containing 14,4 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and a baggie containing 1.6 ounces of suspected methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine later field-tested positive for methamphetamine, a Schedule II drug. 

Records indicate that Nytes was convicted of the felony crime of Controlled Substance Crime in the Third Degree on Jan. 5, 2007 and of the felony crime of Controlled Substance Crime in the Fifth Degree on July 6, 2009. Records also indicate that Nytes has violated his probation on multiple occasions. 

Records indicate that Scheff was convicted of the felony crime of Controlled Substance Crime in the Fifth Degree (two counts) on May 19, 2014. Records also indicate that Scheff has violated her probation on multiple occasions.