A Franklin man was arrested Thursday for various drug crimes after area residents alerted law enforcement of suspicious activity at his residence.
According to the Renville County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, May 13, a deputy stopped a vehicle leaving a Franklin home after other residents of the town had approached the Sheriff’s office with concerns. Inside was Brian D. LaBaw, age 59. A sheriff’s office canine was summoned to the scene and indicated to his handler the presence of drugs within LaBaw’s vehicle. A search turned up about a quarter-pound of methamphetamine inside.
At that point, the Brown-Lyon-Redwood-Renville Drug Task Force stepped in to assist Renville County investigators. A search of LaBaw’s residence turned up approximately another half-pound of meth, with a street value of at least $20,000.
LaBaw was arrested and charged with First Degree Controlled Substance Crime, a felony. He appeared in Renville County District Court on Friday where bail was set at $50,000 unconditional and $20,000 with conditions. LaBaw remains in the Renville County Jail.