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Drug charge defendant who absconded to East Coast sentenced to 105 months

Posted Online: 11/20/02

It's been 11 months since the sentencing date for Kimberly Ann Ekstrand, 43, formerly of Isanti Estates, was scheduled. Convicted of felony controlled substance crime in the first degree for possessing 315 grams of methamphetamine, Ekstrand knew she was prison-bound for at least 105 months and apparently decided against it.

The case started with a tip from Anoka County authorities that Ekstrand, who was at that time in the Anoka County Jail on an unrelated traffic charge, had received shipment of a large amount of methamphetamine.

Executing a search warrant signed by Judge James Dehn, members of the Isanti County Sheriff's Department and the Anoka/Hennepin County Drug Task Force went to Ekstrand's residence in Isanti Estates.

There a dog, specially trained to sniff out narcotics, hit on a clothes dryer at the residence and officers recovered 315 grams of methamphetamine and $4,450 in cash under the appliance.

Along with the items were several sheets of fabric softener that officers believed were being used to put the dog off the scent of the drug Ekstrand, facing a January 16, 2002 sentencing date and an expected sentence of 105 months, left Minnesota prior to Jan. 16 and was apprehended several months later on the East Coast.

She is serving her sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Shakopee.