Man charged with selling heroin in a park zone; Allegedly sold to police informant

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Robert Edward Collins, 43, of Austin was charged on Friday in Mower County District Court with felony second-degree drugs-sales of schedule I or II narcotic in a park zone and felony third-degree drugs-sale of a narcotic.

Robert Edward Collins, 43

According to the court complaint, narcotics officers met with a confidential reliable informant (CRI) on Nov. 28 about purchasing heroin from Collins.

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The CRI and his vehicle were searched and he was provided with buy money and an audio transmitter. The CRI then called Collins and arranged a meeting at Collins’ residence in the 1000 block of Second Avenue Southwest, half a block from Galloway Park.

The CRI was monitored as he went to the residence and police heard Collins speaking with him. The CRI purchased 0.27 grams of heroin then met with police at a predetermined location. He surrendered the drugs and confirmed Collins sold the heroin to him.

Collins was arrested on Wednesday after officers executed a search warrant on his residence. The search of the residence uncovered small amounts of white powdery substances, crystalline substances, drug paraphernalia and $810 in cash.

A review of Collins’ criminal history shows prior convictions for assault, aiding/abetting kidnapping, theft, aggravated robbery, drug possession, fleeing a peace officer and failure to register as a predatory offender.

Collins will appear in court again on Jan. 24.