Pequot Lakes Man Admits to Gun, Meth Stash

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Nicholas Ronald Wynn, 35, of Pequot Lakes, traded a trial for a guilty plea today, admitting to a cache of illegal firearms, ammunition, and a substantial quantity of methamphetamine. The confession came on the eve of a scheduled trial, closing the door on a case that exposed a dangerous combination of weapons and narcotics in central Minnesota.

Federal investigators with the FBI began tracking Wynn in the spring of 2019, after reports surfaced of large purchases of firearm parts, body armor, and chemicals consistent with narcotics and explosives manufacturing. The investigation quickly revealed a pattern of Wynn acquiring the tools of both a gunsmith and a meth cook. A May 9, 2019 search of Wynn’s residence turned up a workshop dedicated to building semiautomatic rifles and handguns, along with high-capacity magazines, boxes of ammunition, and tactical gear including a bulletproof vest, helmet, and facemask. But the guns weren’t the only danger – agents also found over 400 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and recipes for its production.

The initial raid didn’t uncover the full scope of Wynn’s operation. He confessed to storing additional firearms and ammunition in a Brainerd storage unit. A subsequent search of that unit yielded five firearms, including semiautomatic handguns and an assault rifle, alongside more ammunition. Investigators then turned their attention to a rental property in Brainerd, where Wynn was observed making frequent, late-night trips to the garage. Despite the renters having no access to the garage, they reported seeing Wynn repeatedly loading and unloading boxes from his truck. A search of the garage revealed two segments of PVC pipe, capped and configured in a manner consistent with the creation of pipe bombs.

Wynn’s criminal history sealed his fate. As a convicted felon in Crow Wing County, he was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The evidence painted a clear picture of a man actively flouting the law and building a dangerous arsenal. At a hearing today, Wynn pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon, one count of possessing ammunition as a felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He admitted to intending to distribute the methamphetamine.

The investigation, a joint effort between the FBI and the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals combining illegal weapons with drug trafficking. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Rank and Emily A. Polachek are prosecuting the case, and a sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. The length of Wynn’s sentence remains to be seen, but given the severity of the charges and his prior record, it is expected to be substantial.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on Wynn’s sentencing. This case serves as a stark reminder that the intersection of firearms and drug trafficking remains a significant law enforcement priority in Minnesota and across the nation.