SLP Man Busted for Cocaine Possession

A 58-year-old St. Louis Park man is facing a felony drug charge after police say they discovered cocaine in his sweatshirt pocket when they arrested him for fishing on the Mississippi River without a license.

James Earl Holston Jr. is charged with fifth-degree drug possession, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He also has two outstanding warrants for driving with a canceled driver’s license.

According to the criminal complaint, compiled by Minneapolis Police Sgt. Thomas Peterson, police found Holston in the area of 19th Avenue South and River Parkway West just after 7:30 p.m. on April 9, fishing on the Mississippi River without a fishing license.

Police also learned that Holston had outstanding warrants and took him into custody.

During the booking process at the Hennepin County Jail, officers found a bindle of what appeared to be cocaine in Holston’s sweatshirt pocket, according to Peterson’s account.

The substance was tested and was found to be about 0.2 grams of cocaine, the complaint charges.

Holston’s criminal history includes a conviction for fifth-degree drug possession in 1999.

Holston is free on a $3,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled for June 1 in Hennepin County District Court.