MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The person of interest in the disappearance of 27-year-old Danielle Jelinek – who went missing in Chisago Lakes Township last December – pleaded not guilty Tuesday to multiple drug charges after authorities said they found 12 pounds of marijuana at his house.
Aaron Schnagl, 28, faces three felony drug charges, court documents show. The charges stem from a search warrant that was executed on Dec. 9 — the day Jelinek went missing.
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The search showed that Schnagl, a former boyfriend of Jelinek’s, had two boxes containing marijuana in a BMW in his garage, located on the 11000 block of 261st Street, a criminal complaint said. One box weighed about 7.5 pounds, the other weighed about 4.5 pounds. Both had vacuum-sealed bags of pot, labeled with names like “Juicy Fruit” and “Blueberry.”
Authorities also seized more than 9 grams of cocaine, various pills and a digital scale, the complaint said. They found these items — along with the 12 pounds of pot, again — after the drugs were apparently taken from Schnagl’s home and placed under a bed in a Ham Lake home.
Schnagl faces one fifth-degree drug selling charge, one fifth-degree possession charge and one first-degree aiding and abetting charge. He is slated to appear in court for a hearing on Feb. 11. A jury trial is scheduled for March 4 at the Chisago County Government Center.
Jelinek, the missing woman, was last seen with Schnagl. Investigators found Jelinek’s purse, shoes and cell phone in Schnagl’s home.
Documents say Schnagl told authorities that he was with Jelinek on Dec. 8, the day before her disappearance. He said they were drinking, and then went to bed around 2:30 a.m. When he woke up the next morning, she was gone.
