FARIBAULT, Minn. — Criminal charges have been filed in connection with an incident on I-35W that triggered a standoff and significant disruption in traffic Sunday.
Court documents detail the charges against 41-year-old Donald Ray Sanderson, including first-degree drug sale and possession, and being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Prosecutors say an agent of the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team (SMVCET) learned on Sunday that Sanderson was approaching Minnesota after traveling to California on a suspected drug buy. Law enforcement attempted to stop the suspect's vehicle by using stop sticks on I-35 in Steele County, but Sanderson kept driving despite significant damage.
Sanderson pulled over briefly at mile marker 37 just before 2:45 p.m. and a woman got out of the vehicle before the suspect drove off. She was arrested and told police that Sanderson had a gun in the car.
Authorities continued to pursue Sanderson and he eventually pulled over at mile marker 57 near Faribault just before 3 p.m. The suspect reportedly exited the vehicle with a gun in his hand and ignored commands to drop the weapon, eventually firing a shot into the ground.
At that point a decision was made to shut down the interstate while negotiators tried to convince Sanderson to surrender. He refused, allegedly firing at a drone deployed by law enforcement and then attempting to shoot himself. The suspect then lost control of the gun and ran into a farm field just off the highway, where he was taken down by an Apple Valley K-9.
Agents searched Sanderson's car and located 44 lbs of methamphetamine, counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, additional controlled substances and equipment related to drug dealing.
Prosecutors say Sanderson has an extensive criminal history, including a recent conviction for threats of violence which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.