Rochester-area drug sales suspect moves to represent himself in federal court

By KAALTV

Jon Michael Ask / Olmsted County ADC

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester-area drug sales suspect plans to represent himself in his federal case, according to court documents.

In March of this year, Jon Michael Ask was federally charged with a count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, as well as three supporting charges of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; a count of distribution of cocaine; a count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; and a count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

He faces additional charges in Olmsted and Dodge Counties.

On April 24, Ask’s federal defense attorney filed a motion to withdraw from the case, saying Ask intends to represent himself “pro se” in court.

Ask is scheduled to appear for a Faretta hearing, used to ascertain that a defendant has the ability to competently represent themself in court, and confirm that they wish to do so, at 2:30 p.m. May 7.

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(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man faces federal drug charges from the spring, summer, and fall of 2023.

According to federal court records, Jon Michael Ask has been charged with a count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, as well as three supporting charges of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; a count of distribution of cocaine; a count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl; and a count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office dismissed Ask’s July 2023 drug sales and possession case, as he is facing federal charges from those same alleged actions.

However, Ask is still facing Olmsted County charges from his August 2023 drug arrest.

Ask was also scheduled to appear in Dodge County Court Wednesday, March 6, on two counts of 2nd-degree drug possession.

He failed to appear at those hearings Wednesday, and the Olmsted County ADC confirmed that Ask had been transferred to another facility on Feb. 12.

However, the ADC staff was not told where Ask is currently being held.

Federal documents state that he is in the custody of the attorney general’s office.