Dakota County Task Force Finds Nearly 90 Firearms, Drugs in South St. Paul Search
SOUTH ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - Court documents provide new details following a major law enforcement operation in South St. Paul last week that led to the seizure of nearly 90 firearms, drugs, and ammunition.
On August 20, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., agents with the Dakota County Drug Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence on the 300 block of 7th Avenue South. According to a Facebook post from the South St. Paul Police Department, 7th Avenue South was closed until around 7:30 p.m. while the search was conducted.
The search stemmed from the arrest and investigation that followed of Kollin J. Konitzer, 34, who had been taken into custody the previous day for allegedly carrying a firearm in public without a permit. According to the criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Konitzer was at South St. Paul City Hall on August 19, 2025, when Commander Salmey of the South St. Paul Police Department observed the outline of a firearm on his hip. Upon questioning, Konitzer confirmed he was armed and was arrested. Officers recovered a loaded 9-millimeter Sig Sauer handgun with one round chambered and 12 more in the magazine.
While being taken into custody, court records report that Konitzer reportedly stated, “I have been waiting for this,” before becoming irate and swearing at officers during the Miranda warning. Court records show Konitzer has no valid permit to carry a firearm, and he now faces a gross misdemeanor charge of carrying a pistol without a permit in a public place related to that incident.
90 Firearms, Ammunition, and Drugs Recovered
Following a court-ordered search warrant being approved, a search of Konitzer’s residence the following day uncovered a stockpile of approximately 90 firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and rifles. One rifle with a scope was allegedly set up on a tripod and aimed at the home’s front door. Large amounts of ammunition were also seized.
In a main-floor bedroom, agents discovered a safe containing a baggie of suspected fentanyl weighing about 0.91 grams and a bottle of 53 pills identified as methylphenidate, a Schedule II controlled substance. The pill bottle lacked prescription labeling, and no prescription materials were found nearby. Documents and personal effects tied to Konitzer were also recovered.
Konitzer is now also facing four felony counts of 5th-degree possession of a controlled substance in addition to the firearms-related charges.
History of Threats and Escalating Behavior
Court filings also highlight a troubling history of threatening and anti-government behavior linked to Konitzer. Multiple agencies, including the ATF and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), have raised officer-safety concerns.
Reports describe a pattern of disturbing incidents, including:
Allegations of domestic abuse and trespassing while armed.
Confrontations with South St. Paul police officers, during which he allegedly said he could have shot an officer and threatened to kill the police chief.
Wearing a tactical vest and entering secure law enforcement areas while armed.
Issuing unauthorized conceal-and-carry certificates.
Obscene and threatening communications to city staff.
Numerous social media posts promoting anti-government ideology, including references to Molotov cocktails, explosives, and violence against police.
The BCA’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAM) has deemed Konitzer a serious and escalating threat, noting his firearms stockpiling, extremist rhetoric, and attempts to undermine state firearms certification systems.
Extreme Risk Protection Order
In light of these incidents and the troubling history, a petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) against Konitzer was submitted on August 19, 2025. It was served to Konitzer at the Dakota County Jail on August 20, 2025. This order prohibits him from possessing firearms while the order remains in effect, and allows police to conduct a court-approved warrant to retrieve the weapons.
The State requested a significant bail for Konitzer due to the significant concerns of law enforcement and the significant threat to the public that Konitzer poses. They asked, and the judge set the bond at $150,000 without conditions and $100,000 with conditions.
As always, it is important to note that these charges are based on probable cause outlined in the complaint. Konitzer has been charged but has not been convicted of any crimes, and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Written by: Limitless Media and Will Wight
