Austin man pleads not guilty to felony gun and drug possession

Published 5:00 pm Saturday, March 9, 2013

One of two suspects in a Feb. 15 charged for illegal gun possession and drugs after a traffic stop pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Michael Donovan Krauss, 42, of Austin, pleaded not guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a stun gun and fifth-degree drug possession.

An officer stopped the suspects in their vehicle on Highway 218 south of Austin after they reportedly went 10 mph over the speed limit. The officer discovered the driver had neither a Minnesota driver’s license nor proof of insurance. The officer also smelled marijuana in the car, according to the Mower County Court complaint and found 80 grams of weed in the glove compartment. The officer also found a 9 mm pistol and ammunition.

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The other suspect, Bonnie Lee Sutton, 31, of Austin, faces the same charges and one more felony. She was charged with felony possession of a dangerous weapon in a courthouse. The arresting officer removed a knife from Sutton’s purse as she was leaving Mower County Court, according to the court complaint.