Executive Summary
- Steven Bounkoa Voeun charged with first-degree drug sales and possession following a raid.
- Investigators seized 203.3 grams of cocaine and over $7,600 in cash from the residence.
- The defendant was on supervised release for prior drug and robbery convictions at the time.
- Bail has been set at $250,000 without conditions pending further court proceedings.
A Rochester man currently on supervised release for prior felonies is facing significant new narcotics charges following a police raid that allegedly uncovered a substantial quantity of cocaine and cash. Steven Bounkoa Voeun, 33, was charged Friday in Olmsted County Court with one count of first-degree drug sales and one count of first-degree drug possession.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court, the charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at Voeun’s residence on January 13. Investigators allege that the operation was the result of an ongoing investigation involving a Rochester police informant, who reportedly purchased drugs from the defendant during a controlled buy conducted by law enforcement.
Court documents state that during the search of the home, authorities located seven bags containing a substance identified as cocaine. Investigators noted that six of the bags were secured inside a safe, while a seventh bag was discovered in a jacket pocket. The complaint specifies that the combined weight of the seized cocaine was approximately 203.3 grams. In addition to the narcotics, officers reported finding $7,627 in cash inside the same jacket pocket.
Records from the Department of Corrections indicate that Voeun was on supervised release at the time of the arrest, having been released from prison last September. His criminal history includes a 2017 conviction for second-degree drug sales in Olmsted County, for which he initially received a stayed sentence. He was later resentenced to four years in prison in 2023 for convictions related to a robbery and drug possession case.
Following his initial court appearance on Friday, Voeun’s bail was set at $250,000 without conditions. He is scheduled to return to court later this month.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Procedural Implications
The filing of first-degree drug charges while a defendant is on supervised release presents complex legal challenges for the defense. Under Minnesota sentencing guidelines, new offenses committed during a period of supervision often trigger revocation proceedings for the prior sentence, in addition to potential consecutive sentencing if convicted of the new charges. The high bail amount reflects the court’s assessment of flight risk or public safety concerns given the defendant’s prior record and the significant volume of narcotics alleged in the complaint.
