Rochester Man sent Back to Prison For Felony Drug Conviction
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man who was sent to prison 10 years ago is headed back.
32-year-old Gatwech Biel Wiel was arrested in April after he performed an illegal U-turn on North Broadway and was pulled over by a Rochester police officer. Court documents indicate he was displaying signs of impairment and failed a field sobriety test before he was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
The criminal complaint says the arresting officer then discovered 36 grams of a white substance that later tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl inside a black pouch that was in Wiel's possession. He was charged with first and second-degree drug possession, and two counts of DWI.
Through a plea agreement, Wiel earlier entered guilty pleas to the second-degree drug possession charge and one of the DWI charges. In exchange, the two other charges were dismissed.
He was sentenced on Friday to 88 months in prison for the felony drug conviction. Wiel was given credit for the 130 days he has already served in jail.
Court records show he received a four-year prison sentence in 2014 for a criminal sexual conduct conviction. His criminal record also includes previous convictions for felony terroristic threats, drug possession, and DWI.
8 Things You Have to do Before Minnesota's First Freeze
Gallery Credit: Carly Ross