October Multi-County Police Pursuit Leads to Arrest of Minneapolis Man, Resulting in 11-Year Prison Sentence

Apr 2

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA—A high-speed police pursuit through Dakota and Washington Counties back in October 2024 led to the arrest of Albert Joe Ryans Jr., 31, and the eventual conviction on multiple felony drug and firearm charges.

Police Pursuit in Dakota and Washington Counties

On October 15, 2024, we shared a video about a police pursuit that went through Dakota and Washington Counties. The incident began in the Prairie Island Indian Community just north of Red Wing, Minnesota, when Prairie Island Police Officers had spotted a vehicle that a neighboring agency had flagged. Prairie Island Officers followed the vehicle into Hastings, Minnesota, where Hastings Police Officers were set up to help attempt to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, when Prairie Island Officers lit the vehicle up, the vehicle fled, and the pursuit began near 10th Street East and Great River Road in Hastings, MN, and the pursuit continued north into Washington County.

A coordinated response involving multiple agencies ensued, with Washington County Sheriff's Office, Cottage Grove Police, Dakota County Sheriff's Office, Prairie Island Police, and Minnesota State Patrol all assisting in the pursuit. The chase ended when officers successfully boxed/pitted the vehicle on northbound Highway 61, just north of the I-494 interchange.

Both the driver and passenger of the vehicle were taken into custody. We later learned that one of those individuals was identified as Albert Joe Ryans Jr, who had felony drug and weapons charges in Hennepin County and a felony armed robbery charge in Ramsey County.

Ryans’ Legal Troubles & Trial Outcome

Several months after his arrest, Ryans was charged in Hennepin County with multiple felony offenses related to drug possession and firearm violations. His case went to trial, where he was acquitted on two first-degree drug sale charges but convicted on three other counts:

Possession of a firearm as a convicted felon (Count 3) – Convicted
Second-degree drug possession (fentanyl/heroin, Count 4) – Convicted
Third-degree drug possession (methamphetamine, Count 5) – Convicted, but no sentence pronounced

Sentencing Details

On February 24, 2025, Hennepin County District Court Judge Sarah Hudleston sentenced Ryans to 140 months (11 years, 8 months) in prison. His sentences include:

90 months (7.5 years) for unlawful firearm possession (Count 3)
140 months (11 years, 8 months) for second-degree drug possession (Count 4)
Both sentences will be served concurrently

With 196 days of credit for time served, Ryans will spend at least two-thirds of his sentence in prison, with the remaining time on supervised release.

Investigation & Arrest

According to court records from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, the drug charges stem from an incident on June 27, 2024, when law enforcement conducted a drug-related operation in south Minneapolis. Officers observed a suspected drug transaction and initiated a vehicle stop. Ryans and a co-defendant fled on foot but were quickly apprehended.

A search of Ryans and his vehicle uncovered:

Over 18 grams of fentanyl
16 grams of methamphetamine
A loaded firearm

Due to his prior felony convictions, Ryans was prohibited from possessing firearms. The large quantity of drugs found indicated intent to distribute rather than personal use.

Criminal History & Sentencing Departure

Court records show that Ryans’ extensive criminal record, including aggravated robbery, burglary, and drug-related offenses, played a role in the court’s decision to impose an upward sentencing departure under Minnesota’s repeat violent offender statute (Blakely sentence).

Ryans is currently held at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud for his sentence.