Minn. Firefighter Allegedly Sold Drugs at Fire Station

March 28--Police arrested a Minneapolis firefighter at a fire station, after receiving information about people buying drugs at the station from him, a department spokesman said Tuesday, March 27.

Minneapolis officers assigned to the Safe Streets Task Force executed a search warrant at Station 19, 200 Ontario St. S.E., which is across from TCF Bank Stadium. The warrant was "based on information they received from a confidential informant involving people buying drugs at the station from a firefighter," said Sgt. Stephen McCarty, police spokesman.

When the warrant was executed, police arrested firefighter Lawrence Anthony Wajda Jr, 42. He was in possession of a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, McCarty said. Two other people who aren't firefighters were arrested at the station or nearby, he said.

Autumn Marie Ronning, 33, was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of controlled substance possession. Police cited Stace Anderson for possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle and drug paraphernalia, and released him, McCarty said.

Wajda was booked into the jail on suspicion of a narcotics violation, McCarty said. He lives in Coon Rapids, KSTP-TV reported.

McCarty said he didn't have information about how long drugs had allegedly been sold at the fire station.

Fire Chief John Fruetel released a statement Tuesday afternoon:

"As the new Fire Chief I am deeply concerned and disappointed to hear such allegations. I expect that personnel in this department maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. I have no doubt that the women and men of the Minneapolis Fire Department serve the people of this city with courage, integrity and respect. Unfortunately it is cases like this where the actions of a single individual can cast a shadow on the entire department."

Copyright 2012 - Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.