Man charged with third-degree murder in methamphetamine-related death in Hastings
Published: March 30th, 2026
HASTINGS MN: A 42-year-old man is charged with third-degree murder after a man died earlier this year; the complaint states the cause of death was acute methamphetamine toxicity, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court.
On January 2, 2026, officers with the Hastings Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 1900 block of Walnut Street for a report of an unresponsive adult male. Upon arrival, officers found 63-year-old Roger Eugene Thibeault in the front passenger seat of a truck parked in the driveway. He was not breathing and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the complaint.
Officers also located 42-year-old Jeremy Paul Fredline near the truck. The complaint states that Fredline later provided multiple statements to law enforcement about the events leading up to Thibeault’s death.
According to the complaint, Fredline said that earlier that day, the two were at his residence when Thibeault used methamphetamine. About an hour later, they went outside to a truck, where Thibeault asked Fredline to stay with him. Fredline told investigators they held hands until Thibeault stopped breathing.
The complaint states that Fredline said the methamphetamine belonged to him and that he provided it to Thibeault after being asked. He told officers he believed the substance did not contain fentanyl and said he used test kits to check it. Fredline also stated he felt responsible and believed the drugs may have contributed to the death, according to the complaint.
An autopsy conducted by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined the manner of death was accidental and the cause of death was acute methamphetamine toxicity. Toxicology results showed a methamphetamine level of 1200 ng/mL in Thibeault’s blood, according to the complaint.
Fredline is charged with third-degree murder, alleging he sold, gave, or distributed a Schedule I or II controlled substance resulting in death.
The charge is an allegation, and Fredline is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
