New Ulm man sentenced for possessing meth while deputies searched for stolen firearm

A New Ulm man, Austin Daniel O’Hearn, was sentenced in Redwood County court after law enforcement searched a residence for another reason, and found he was possessing methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on May 26 of last year, the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant on a residence in Belview on a report of a stolen firearm there. After trying to make contact with the people inside, law enforcement entered and found O’Hearn and a woman.

While searching for the firearm, deputies found drug paraphernalia and illegal drugs sitting out in plain view. A second search of the residence, and nearby property, turned up marijuana and additional methamphetamine. O’Hearn had two prior convictions for illegal drug possession.

On Jan. 22, O’Hearn was sentenced for 17 months in the correctional facility in St. Cloud, stayed for two years, 42 days local confinement, two years supervised probation, and fees and fines of $335.