UPDATE: Man pleads guilty to fleeing police after Owatonna car chase

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A Faribault man pleaded guilty to two charges after a Labor Day car chase.

Robert Vern Morgan, 39, pleaded guilty to fleeing police in a motor vehicle and drug possession after a multi-agency pursuit that began in on Highway 14 in Dodge Center and ended on Hoffman Drive in Owatonna.

Morgan faced charges of fleeing police, drug possession, and several traffic violations after law enforcement allegedly found a meth pipe in his vehicle.

His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2023.

(ABC 6 News) – A Faribault man is facing several charges after a vehicle pursuit by many law enforcement agencies on Labor Day, Monday.

Robert Vern Morgan, 39, appeared in Dodge County court on Tuesday and was charged with speeding 90 mph in a 55 mph zone, careless driving, 5th-degree drug possession, and fleeing police in a motor vehicle.

According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s office, on Monday at approximately 9:20 p.m., a Dodge County deputy attempted to stop a westbound vehicle on US Highway 14 in the vicinity of Dodge County 120th Ave. for numerous traffic violations that were observed.

The vehicle failed to stop and then fled, passing traffic, and increasing speeds up to 100 mph.

The pursuit continued into Steele County, and then into the city of Owatonna.

Steele County deputies joined the pursuit and then Owatonna Police.

An Owatonna Police officer deployed stop sticks at Austin Road, west of Highway 218. The suspect hit the stop sticks and continued into Owatonna as the vehicles tires started losing air pressure and coming off.

The vehicle stopped at the intersection of Hoffman Drive and I-35 where law enforcement took the driver, later identified as Morgan, into custody after conducing a felony stop.

According to court documents, when asked why he did not comply with the traffic stop, Morgan stated “I have a Do Not Apprehend Order” and “I do not have to stop for cops.”

A search of Morgan was conducted, wherein a deputy located a methamphetamine pipe, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

While reading Morgan his Miranda Rights, Morgan kept interrupting and asking for another hit off his “meth pipe.” Due to the multiple interruptions and Morgan not understanding what was being read to him, the deputy stopped the interaction, according to court documents.

Due to the admission of using meth, driving conduct, and Morgan’s behaviors, the deputy completed and filed a search warrant for blood/urine sample from Morgan which was signed by a judge.

Morgan was transported to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center and a second search was conducted. During that search a small baggie of white crystals, weighing 1.5 grams with packaging and tested positive for methamphetamine, was found in his coin pocket.

Court documents state that a Rochester Police Officer read the warrant to Morgan and he refused to provide blood, but agreed to provide urine which was collected and forwarded to the BCA for further testing and pending 4th Degree DWI charges.

Bail was set at $10,000 unconditional or $5,000 conditional to include abstaining from alcohol or controlled substances and stay away from bars and liquor stores.

Morgan’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 14.