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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned a felony drug conviction stemming from a major drug bust in Winona County several years ago.

After hearing Lamont Thomas Junior's appeal, the judges agreed to suppress the evidence gathered by a Minnesota State Trooper following a routine traffic stop for speeding on I-90 in March 2020. A Winona County Judge previously denied the 31-year-old La Crosse man's motion to quash the evidence that argued the trooper lacked probable cause to search his vehicle.

Minnesota State Patrol photo
Minnesota State Patrol photo
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According to court documents, despite the full cooperation of the driver, the trooper who performed the traffic stop became suspicious because there were a number of air fresheners in use inside the vehicle. The trooper also stated that just before he was going to release Thomas with a warning for speeding, he detected the odor of marijuana.

MN Court Of Appeals
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The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 1000 Ecstasy pills, nearly 28 grams of cocaine, 25 grams of marijuana, and more than $2800 in cash. Thomas was later convicted of a first-degree charge involving drug sales.

The conviction carries a presumptive sentence of 65 months in prison, but the judge gave him a stayed 56-month sentence and placed him on probation for up to 15 years.

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