Update: 27 year old Anthoney Fugalli was charged with 1st degree drug sale. Bail has been set at $500,000 with conditions. Acting as a runner for Fugalli, 28 year old Scott Anthony Hargenrader was charged with 2nd degree drug sale. His bail was set at $20,000 with conditions. They’re both scheduled for initial court appearances on July 5th. They both remain in the Rice Co. jail.
Additional information from the Criminal Complaints on Fugalli and an accomplice are included below
A Faribault drug dealer warned a man that the heroin he sold him was laced with fentanyl. Faribault Police Chief Andy Bohlen commented on the quick arrest of 27 year old Anthoney Fugalli just hours after they were called to a medical on Tuesday. Officers found a 38 year old male unresponsive and showing evidence of a possible overdose. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. Faribault investigators and agents with the Cannon River Drug & Violent Offenders Task Force (who worked with the South Central Drug Investigation Unit) picked up Fugalli around 10pm. He was charged with 1st degree drug sale, which carries up to 30 years in prison. Bohlen said Fugalli had been on
agents radar due to other activity and there was a connection with him to the victim. He was was arrested in April for selling heroin and told investigators then, that he went “trippin’” nearly daily to the Cities to buy drugs. I asked Bohlen why they add fentanyl. He said, “the information we’re receiving at the State is people are mixing fentanyl with this stuff to, kind of you know, get some street cred that this is some really potent stuff. But it’s incredibly dangerous, it’s like a game of 
Russian roulette”. He called on the community to call 911 if they’re with someone overdosing, no charges will be filed against you. He said the people they dealt with on this case will not be prosecuted, “we want people to call us so we can try to save lives”. The Task Force will work with the Rice County Attorney’s office to put together a possible homicide case along with the drug charges as the investigation continues. Up until April, Fugalli’s run-ins with the law have all been petty misdemeanors. He remains in the Rice County jail. Just received criminal complaints on Fugalli and his alleged associate Scott Hargenrader. Fugalli complaint 6-18 1461 Hargenrader complaint
Deadliest days of summer on roadways
Traffic Safety is top of mind for Rice County Attorney John Fossum as Rice County Judges have sentenced two people for traffic deaths in the last 2 weeks. One was caused by the driver’s excessive alcohol consumption, and one was caused by grossly negligent driving. Fossum said often in these cases people react to the sentences as being too low, some claim they are too high and that prison is not appropriate for such an offense. The law doesn’t differentiate between grossly negligent driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of another. This Father’s Day weekend saw 11 traffic deaths in Minnesota. The 100 days from Memorial Day to Labor Day are the deadliest days for traffic deaths in Minnesota. Expect more enforcement waves for seatbelts and distracted driving. Fossum’s full article with more information along with statistics.
Police edge out firefighters in successful Blood Drive
The Battle of the Badges blood drive was a success. Northfield Firefighters and Northfield police held a friendly competition for the most blood donors yesterday. The event started with a full appointment schedule, 39 of 40! They had a few no-shows, but several walk-ins to make up for it. Their goal was to get 30 units and they got 35, one donor was turned away because they had just recently donated elsewhere. The Northfield Police Department squeaked ahead of the Fire Department with a total of 20 votes to 16 votes. The Badges send a special thanks to the several volunteers from the VFW Ladies Auxiliary who helped out providing assistance for the donors as they checked in and wonderful company when each donor finished and regrouped with some cookies and juice.
Volunteers for Ruth’s House sought
Ruth’s House, which provides transitional housing for women and children, is looking for volunteers in several areas including lawn care, childcare, front desk help, a handyperson and someone who knows IT. For more information and a list of household needs go to ruthshousemn.org.
