Oakley, Minn. man pleads not guilty to first-degree aiding and abetting sale of cocaine – Grand Forks Herald

PENNINGTON COUNTY, Minnesota. An Oakley man waived a hearing Monday, Dec. 9, and pleaded not guilty to first-degree aiding and abetting the sale of a controlled substance.

Zachariah John Howard, 22, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. However, Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines recommend 56 to 150 months, depending on the criminal record.

According to a probable cause statement filed in the case, in July Howard purchased cocaine for Rodney Arlan Smith and drove him to sell it in Thief River Falls.

Smith allegedly sold an ounce of cocaine to undercover law enforcement for $2,000.

He was charged with first-degree sale of a controlled substance and has a preliminary hearing set for Jan. 13.

Howard’s next court appearance, a preliminary hearing, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 27.