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Man faces multiple charges

FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man is facing multiple felony charges in Martin County. Patrick Michael Creech, 37, has been charged with three counts of a firearm violation having previously been convicted of a crime of violence. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. Creech is also charged with one count each of prohibited possession of a short-barreled shotgun and drug possession in the fifth degree, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In addition Creech is also charged with one count of theft which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine. Finally, Creech faces another charge of theft, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On January 30, 2021, a Fairmont Police officer received information from an adult male party that his storage locker had been broken into. The man reported that numerous items had been stolen from the locker, including a number of PlayStation 4 video games.

Later that day, the officer was on routine patrol when he observed a blue Pontiac Bonneville driving west on Fourth Street in Fairmont towards the intersection of Dewey Street. The officer observed the vehicle immediately pull into a parking area in the 400 block of North Dewey Street, a residence the officer knew to be occupied by Creech and tied to the use and sale of meth.

Later that day the officer again observed the vehicle, which was not using headlights during inclement weather. The officer initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who identified himself with a name and date of birth that was later discovered to belong to a relative. When asked for proof of insurance the driver was unable to provide any, and the passenger appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

When asked about what they were doing that day, the driver provided information that the officer knew to be false. When asked for any form of ID, the driver said he had lost it. When asked if there were controlled substances in the vehicle, the driver denied this and also denied consent to search the vehicle.

The officer called for a K-9 unit and a Minnesota State Patrol trooper later arrived to execute a dog sniff of the vehicle. During the sniff, the trooper located a marijuana pipe.

During the search, officers discovered a Glock 17 handgun with ammunition in the chamber, a wallet containing multiple credit cards belonging to the man who had called, a “sawed off” shotgun, a 10″ Samsung tablet which was similar to one described missing, and a number of video games in the back seat.

The driver was advised of his rights, and during the subsequent conversation he admitted that he was Creech. He indicated he had used a relative’s name to identify himself and confirmed he has a past felony conviction. Creech admitted going to the storage locker.

Officers located another truck in the area belonging to Creech. A search warrant was obtained and numerous items belonging to the caller were discovered. Law enforcement also discovered a small amount of meth and numerous non-controlled substance prescription pills.

A review of Creech’s criminal history shows a conviction in 2017 for Felony Controlled Substance Crime in the second degree and a conviction in 2017 for Felony Controlled Substance Crime in the third degree. Both are crimes of violence under applicable Minnesota law.

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