A West St. Paul man with an extensive felony history has been newly charged in federal court with drug trafficking and firearms violations.
Charges say Christopher Allen Stengle, 32, on two separate occasions between January 2021 and May 2022, possessed quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine as well as two semiautomatic pistols. Due to his history of felony convictions in Ramsey, Anoka, and Washington counties that include violent crimes, Stengle is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Stengle is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of carrying a firearm in relation to drug trafficking, and two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon.
One of the cases contributing to the federal charges stemmed from an attempted traffic stop in Eagan in January 2021. An officer tried to pull over a vehicle with no license plates and a temporary sticker that the officer suspected may not be authentic.
The vehicle sped away and a pursuit ensued with the suspect vehicle reaching speeds of up to 110 mph. The vehicle eventually crashed in St. Paul, and the driver and passenger fled on foot. Both were eventually apprehended, and the driver was identified as Stengle.
Subsequent searches of the vehicle and Stengle’s person located a loaded firearm and a controlled substance.
Minnesota court records show Stengle has six prior state felony convictions, including two on domestic strangulation, felon in possession of a firearm, forgery, and two convictions on failure to register as a predatory offender.
Stengle was on parole under intensive supervised release in Minnesota at the time of the new federal charges.
Court records also show Stengle has open cases and warrants in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.
Stengle appeared in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung and has been ordered to remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
A press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the case against Stengle is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Eagan Police Department, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Unit.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
