Rochester man pleads guilty to firearm charge, $39K identity theft to be dismissed

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A Rochester man entered a petition to plead guilty to felon in possession of a firearm in exchange for the dismissal of an identity theft charge dating back to 2021.

According to court documents, Robert Owen pleaded guilty to the firearm charge in exchange for the dismissal of the following charges: identity theft–combined loss greater than $35,000; 5th-degree drug sale; an additional charge of 5th-degree drug possession dating to 2022.

Owen was arrested in May of 2021 after a traffic stop allegedly uncovered a firearm, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a book of blank checks belonging to a 61-year-old man from Lincoln, NE.

According to Owen’s plea agreement, he will receive probation at his sentencing Aug. 16.

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man’s trial has been scheduled in an identity theft case dating back to 2021.

Robert Owen was arrested in May of 2021 after a traffic stop allegedly uncovered a firearm, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a book of blank checks belonging to a 61-year-old man from Lincoln, NE.

According to court documents, the Minnesota State Patrol found a receipt for $39,858.95 withdrawn from the 61-year-old’s bank, emptying the account. Troopers also found a pre-paid American Express card and Medicare card belonging to the NE man.

The MSP also found around $13,000 in cash in the vehicle, according to court documents.

Owen faces charges of identity theft–combined loss greater than $35,000; felon in possession of a firearm; and 5th-degree drug sale.

His pretrial is scheduled for May 18, 2023 with a trial May 30.