Grand Forks man accused of selling 137.8 grams of methamphetamine to undercover officers, informants – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS — Over the course of a little more than a month, a Grand Forks man allegedly sold methamphetamine to an undercover police officer and a confidential informant on five separate occasions. The contents amounted to approximately 137.8 grams, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

Robert Barrett Yahnke, 61, is charged with two Class A felonies: delivery of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Class A felonies carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Yahnke is charged with four Class B felonies: three counts of intentional possession of methamphetamine and one count of methamphetamine delivery.

On April 23, the Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force and the Pine to Prairie Task Force began an investigation into Yahnke’s suspected drug trafficking operations in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.

According to the affidavit, police determined that Yahnke drove from Grand Forks to East Grand Forks, where he delivered approximately 17.8 grams of methamphetamine to the undercover officer and the confidential informant.

On May 1, another controlled buy was recorded, in which Yahnke allegedly transported approximately 16.8 grams of methamphetamine from Grand Forks to East Grand Forks, where he sold it.

On May 13, the same was found, but with approximately 12.2 grams of methamphetamine.

Yahnke allegedly sold approximately 30.1 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Grand Forks on May 16. A final controlled purchase — for approximately 60.9 grams of methamphetamine — occurred in Grand Forks on May 31.

The total amount of methamphetamine recorded in controlled purchases was 137.8 grams, or 0.3 pounds.

On June 10, Yahnke was arrested during a traffic stop, during which police found approximately 96 grams of methamphetamine in three bags on him.

Yahnke made his initial court appearance on Friday, September 13. Bail was set at $40,000 cash or surety.

His next court appearance, a preliminary hearing and arraignment, is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Oct. 21.