Judge Set Bonds for Three Drug Trafficking Defendants

Three men face multiple felony charges following a traffic stop and residential search in Grand Forks.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Drug Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a generic courthouse facade, evoking the solemnity of a judicial proceeding. — A Grand Forks judge set $50,000 bonds for three men facing felony drug trafficking charges following an investigation that included a SWAT-assisted search. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A judge has set bonds at $50,000 each for Omar Williams, Darnell Patterson, and Angelo Matthews, who are currently detained at the Grand Forks County Correction Center. The three men face multiple Class A, B, and C felony charges following investigations into drug trafficking.

Why it matters

The charges follow a coordinated investigation involving an I-29 traffic stop and a SWAT team search of a residence that resulted in the seizure of illicit substances and cash. The case highlights local efforts to intercept narcotics trafficking within the region.

A judge set bonds at $50,000 for each of the three defendants, who remain in custody at the Grand Forks County Correction Center. The defendants face an array of Class A, B, and C felony charges as they await preliminary hearings.

The players

Omar Williams

He is a 37-year-old defendant currently facing multiple drug trafficking felony charges.

Darnell Patterson

He is a 31-year-old defendant who is being held at the Grand Forks County Correction Center.

Angelo Matthews

He is a 38-year-old defendant charged in connection with the drug trafficking investigation.

Grand Forks County Correction Center

This facility serves as the primary detention center for individuals awaiting trial within the county.

The details

Deputies recovered 53 grams of marijuana, 1.5 grams of fentanyl, and $913 during an I-29 traffic stop, while a subsequent SWAT team search on the 600 block of North Fifth Street yielded 241 grams of cocaine and $13,620. The defendants, aged 31 to 38, are being held pending their upcoming court appearances.

A judge set the bonds for the three defendants on September 25, 2026.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for the defendants on November 2, 2026, at 9am.

Legal Context

The charges are processed according to the North Dakota Century Code felony classification system, which categorizes drug offenses by severity. This legal framework defines the sentencing exposure for the defendants based on the type and quantity of controlled substances recovered.

The seizure of illicit substances, including fentanyl and cocaine, reflects ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address drug activity in the Grand Forks area. Local residents may see continued monitoring of the locations involved as the investigation proceeds through the court system.

The takeaway

The case underscores the ongoing judicial and law enforcement focus on dismantling narcotics distribution networks in the region. Residents should monitor future court proceedings to understand the resolution of these felony charges.