Detroit Lakes Man Charged With Felony Cocaine Possession

71-year-old Richard Lee Washington faces up to 20 years in prison for two incidents involving over 10 grams of cocaine.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small plastic bag containing white crystalline powder, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent wave of felony drug charges in Detroit Lakes exposes the ongoing struggle to curb the spread of hard narcotics in smaller Midwest communities.Detroit Lakes Today

A 71-year-old Detroit Lakes man has been charged with a felony drug crime after police say he was found in possession of more than 10 grams of cocaine across two separate incidents in late 2025 and early 2026. Richard Lee Washington is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Why it matters

Felony drug charges can carry severe penalties, and this case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the spread of hard drugs like cocaine, even in smaller Midwest communities.

The details

In the first incident on December 7, 2025, police were called to the Holiday Inn after a restaurant employee found a small bag containing a glucose monitor, needles, and several small baggies of a substance that tested positive for cocaine. Surveillance footage identified Washington as the person who left the bag behind. When questioned, Washington initially denied the bag was his but later admitted to using cocaine again. The cocaine in that bag weighed about 6.4 grams. In a second incident on January 10, 2026, police found multiple small baggies of a white rock-like substance that field-tested positive for cocaine during a search of Washington's vehicle. The cocaine from that traffic stop weighed approximately 5.04 grams. The combined total of 11.4 grams from the two incidents meets the threshold for the third-degree felony charge.

  • On December 7, 2025, police were called to the Holiday Inn after a restaurant employee found a bag containing cocaine.
  • On January 10, 2026, police found additional cocaine in Washington's vehicle during a separate investigation.

The players

Richard Lee Washington

A 71-year-old Detroit Lakes resident who has been charged with a felony drug crime for possessing over 10 grams of cocaine across two separate incidents.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

The state agency that conducted lab testing to confirm the substances recovered were cocaine.

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What’s next

Washington made his first court appearance on Thursday morning. The judge will decide whether to allow him to be released on bail as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement, the judicial system, and community members to address the persistent issue of drug-related crimes, even in smaller cities and towns.