Golden Valley Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Xanax

A Golden Valley man is facing a felony drug charge after police say they found five Xanax pills hidden in a pocket flashlight in his car.

Robert Gerald Malone, 34, is charged with fifth-degree drug possession, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in jail and a $6,000 fine.

Minnesota State Patrol officers were alerted on Nov. 7 to a driver who was weaving all over the highway and had nearly hit another vehicle, according to the criminal complaint, signed by Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Eric Clausen.

Officers located the car on Interstate 35W near 26th Street in Minneapolis, and noted that the car’s headlights were not turned on, even though it was dark.

Troopers stopped Malone’s car and determined that his driver’s license had been revoked and that he had a history of failing to make court appearances or pay fines.

Malone was arrested, and troopers searched his car. They found five pills that tested positive for Xanax in a plastic bag, hidden inside a pocket flashlight, according to the complaint.

Malone admitted to officers that he did not have a prescription for the pills, the complaint says.

The charge against Malone was upgraded because of a 2007 conviction for fourth-degree drug possession.

Malone has been released from custody on a $7,500 bond. No further court appearances have been scheduled in his case.