A Faribault man, Nathan Scott Friske, 24, has been sentenced to more than six years in prison following his conviction for selling methamphetamine. According to a recent press release from Rice County, Minnesota, the sentencing comes after a lengthy investigation by the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force that culminated in several controlled buys and a search warrant leading to his arrest alongside his co-defendant Isabel Marie Gutierrez.
The investigation included three controlled purchases in November 2024 that totaled about 26 grams of methamphetamine, where Friske was seen driving Gutierrez's vehicle. In February 2025, another controlled buy was made for an additional 2 ounces of meth. After these repeated interactions with law enforcement, the task force moved forward with a search warrant, where they found not just drugs but also counterfeit currency and documents. Rice County Attorney’s Office reported that in an interview with task force agents, Gutierrez admitted to her involvement in selling and using methamphetamine and acknowledged selling it to the cooperating source.
In exchange for his guilty plea to the February sale, the state dropped the case regarding the November 2024 sales. Friske, with several prior felony convictions already on his record, had been released from prison in January 2025 and was under supervised release during the time of the February drug sales. According to the Rice County Attorney's Office, he has been given credit for the 103 days spent in custody since February 14, prior to sentencing.
The Rice County Attorney’s Office credited Assistant County Attorney Tyler Rew for his efforts in the prosecution of the case. Rice County Attorney Brian Mortensen praised the task force's diligence, stating, "I commend the task force for their tireless efforts in getting individuals like this off Rice County streets, and our prosecutor for being vigilant in seeking justice. We will continue to seek just sentences for those peddling large quantities of drugs in our communities." Gutierrez’s case, on the other hand, is still pending, with more information expected to be released as it becomes available.
For the community of Rice County, the lengthy investigation and subsequent conviction of Friske represent a significant effort by local law enforcement to tackle the scourge of drug trafficking within their borders. The full press release detailing the arrest and sentencing can be read on the Rice County website.
