Anoka County Jail Booking Photo
Published: November 5th, 2026.
ANOKA COUNTY, MN - A 40-year-old Columbia Heights man with prior drug and firearm convictions has been charged with three felonies in Anoka County after police allegedly recovered more than 44 grams of methamphetamine, multiple firearms and firearm suppressors during a July investigation.
Cortney John Edstrom, 40, faces charges of second-degree controlled substance possession, possession of a firearm or ammunition by an ineligible person, and unlawful possession of a firearm suppressor in connection with an investigation conducted by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET).
According to the criminal complaint, investigators began looking into Edstrom in June and July 2026 after receiving information from a confidential informant who alleged that Edstrom was distributing substantial quantities of methamphetamine from a residence in Columbia Heights and possessed numerous firearms.
The informant, who investigators described as having previously provided credible information leading to significant drug seizures, identified Edstrom by name and provided information about his residence near 41st Avenue and Madison Street. Investigators subsequently confirmed Edstrom's identity and residence through law enforcement databases and photographs.
On July 31, 2026, investigators obtained a search warrant for Edstrom, his residence and a red Chevrolet Camaro allegedly associated with his drug distribution activities.
Authorities stopped the Camaro, which was being driven by a woman identified in the complaint as Rachel. During a search of the vehicle, investigators allegedly discovered two bags containing substances that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. An AR-style rifle was also recovered from the vehicle's trunk.
That same day, officers located Edstrom near Central Plaza Shopping Center on 45th Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights.
According to the complaint, Edstrom attempted to flee from officers on foot but was apprehended following a brief pursuit. Investigators alleged that Edstrom attempted to ingest a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine as officers tackled him. Additional suspected methamphetamine was recovered from his person.
Investigators subsequently searched Edstrom's Columbia Heights residence, where they allegedly discovered additional controlled substances, firearms and firearm-related equipment.
According to the complaint, the items recovered included a firearm suppressor on a kitchen counter, an oil filter with a bullet hole that investigators identified as another suppressor, three AR-style rifle magazines, two of which were loaded, a sawed-off .22-caliber bolt-action rifle with a homemade threaded barrel, and a Ruger MK II .22-caliber pistol.
Suspected methamphetamine was also recovered from several locations throughout the residence, including a bread container in the kitchen, an area near an exterior window and a bedroom.
In total, investigators reported recovering 44.65 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle, Edstrom's person and the residence.
Court records cited in the complaint indicate that Edstrom has several prior felony convictions, including first-degree controlled substance crime and possession of a firearm by an ineligible person in Hennepin County in 2016, possession of a firearm by an ineligible person in Wright County in 2010, and second-degree controlled substance crime in Anoka County in 2010.
The complaint also states that Edstrom had five other active criminal cases involving controlled substances or weapons at the time the complaint was prepared. The filing does not provide details about the status or disposition of those cases.
Edstrom is charged with second-degree controlled substance possession under Minnesota Statute 152.022, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and/or a $500,000 fine.
The second charge, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person previously convicted of a crime of violence, carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine under Minnesota Statute 624.713.
The third charge, unlawful possession of a firearm suppressor, carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine under Minnesota Statute 609.66.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Edstrom is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.