Rochester man appears on drug, firearm charges

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man faces charges of simultaneously possessing drugs and guns, according to Olmsted County Court.

Somnith Thuo, 40, faces a 2nd-degree charge of possessing more than 10 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine and a firearm; 3rd-degree drug possession; and 5th-degree drug possession following a Thursday night traffic stop.

According to court documents, Rochester police pulled a car with an inoperable brake light over at 2nd Ave. NW and 11th St. NW around 9:40 p.m. Jan. 25.

Police claim that as Thuo, the driver, spoke with the officer, multiple open beer containers were visible–as well as a single 9mm bullet in the center console.

Thuo and another passenger were allegedly removed from the vehicle “for safety concerns,” and police searched the car.

According to court documents, police found a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun in the glovebox, a blue metal container with 12.5 grams of suspected cocaine, around 20 grams of suspected hallucinogenic mushrooms, and an AK-47 rifle in the trunk.

Thuo appeared in court Friday, Jan. 26. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 13.