ROCHESTER, Minn. – Drug enforcement agents swept in and cuffed seven people linked to what was called “a large-scale” Rochester-based meth ring. There were also three additional arrest warrants for individuals already in custody. And in precisely timed simultaneous raids in the Twin Cities, agents arrested 15 other individuals linked to the Rochester ring. Thirty-two illegal firearms including machine guns were seized in the Cities. The sweep was a multi-agency undertaking with 60 agents in Rochester and 100 in the Cities. Out-of-state special response teams were mustered for the operation. All of the suspects involved have a long history with law enforcement, said Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson.
Convergence of police power
The arrests were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, the Rochester Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.
In custody in Rochester
> Edward Gary Kearns, 46, of Dodge Center.
> Scott Christopher “Bovy” Dobbelaere, 41, of Rochester.
> Samuel Orlo Schafer. 34, of Rochester.
> Lisa Christine Philips.
> James Lee “Jim Bob” Nelson.
> Mercedes Kay “Sadie” Milliken, 27, of Rochester.
> Jerry Lee Milliken, 40, of Rochester.
Three others were in custody at the time of the arrests:
> Lisa Marie Musolf, 60, of Waltham.
> Marshall Michael “ Mav” Galbreath.
> Aaron Raymond Dombovy, 29, of Crow Wing.
Verbatim
Kevin Torgerson, Olmsted County sheriff: “This group is ruining people’s lives out there in our community. They need to be held accountable.”