Minneapolis Man Charged After Authorities Say More Than 4.5 Pounds of Cocaine, Six Guns Found
Hennepin County Jail Booking Photo
Published: September 18th, 2026.
MINNEAPOLIS: —A Minneapolis man is facing eight felony charges after authorities say a search of his residence uncovered more than 4.5 pounds of cocaine, six handguns, thousands of dollars in cash and multiple digital scales.
Wayne Max Hysten, 47, has been charged in Hennepin County District Court with first-degree sale of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of a controlled substance and six counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person previously convicted of a crime of violence.
According to the criminal complaint, officers with the West Metro Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on Sept. 14 at a residence on the 700 block of Thomas Avenue North in Minneapolis.
Before executing the warrant, officers stopped a vehicle belonging to Hysten, who was identified in the complaint as the target of the warrant, and took him into custody. Investigators allegedly found three cell phones inside his vehicle.
During a search of the residence, officers allegedly recovered approximately 2,071 grams — or about 4.57 pounds — of cocaine, six pistols, $5,050 in U.S. currency and three digital scales.
Prosecutors allege the quantity of cocaine, along with the cell phones, scales and cash, were indicative of an intent to sell the drugs.
The complaint states Hysten has previously been convicted of crimes of violence and is prohibited from possessing firearms. It specifically identifies an April 2014 conviction for fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance in Hennepin County.
Hysten is charged with first-degree drug sale for allegedly selling or possessing with intent to sell at least 17 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine and first-degree drug possession for allegedly possessing at least 50 grams. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million, according to the complaint. The complaint lists a 65-month minimum sentence for each drug count.
He is also charged with six felony counts of possessing a firearm or ammunition as a person previously convicted of a crime of violence. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine and lists a five-year minimum sentence.
The complaint lists Aug. 31 as the offense date, while the probable cause section states the search warrant was executed on Sept. 14.
Hysten was already in custody on another matter when prosecutors filed the complaint and requested that the new complaint be issued as a warrant.
The charges are allegations. Hysten is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.