UPDATE: The Crookston Police Department released the following information on Tuesday, August 25.
On August 16th, 2026, the Crookston Police Department was dispatched to a child custody complaint involving Hector Castilleja, age 37, of Crookston. Through the course of that investigation, officers from the Crookston Police Department received information that Castilleja was using cocaine and was possibly in possession of a 9MM handgun. This information was turned over to the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force.
On August 24th, 2026, the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Crookston Police Department, executed a search warrant on the 300 block of South Main Street at the residence of Castilleja. During the search of Castilleja’s residence, officers located a 9MM handgun, ammunition, suspected cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. Officers learned that Castilleja was not in the United States legally, and due to his immigration status, controlled substance use, and prior criminal convictions, he was not eligible to possess a firearm.
Castilleja was charged with the following offenses:
-Count 1: Felon in Possession of Ammunition/Firearm – Crime of Violence
-Count 2: Possession of Ammunition/Firearm – Illegal Alien
-Count 3: Controlled Substance Crime in the Third Degree – Possession Within a Prohibited Zone
-Count 4: Controlled Substance Crime in the Third Degree – Possession Within a Prohibited Zone
This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time. The Crookston Police Department was assisted by the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force and the United States Border Patrol.
ORIGINAL STORY(4:37 p.m. – 8/24/26)
A Crookston man was arrested on Monday morning by the Crookston Police Department at the Riverside Apartments (the old Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home) at 303 Main Street South.
Law enforcement arrived at the apartment after 8:00 a.m. and took the suspect into custody without incident. Responding units included the Crookston Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office. There were unmarked police cars, but ICE was NOT INVOLVED.
The Crookston Police Department says there is no threat to the public and will provide more information once charges are officially filed on Tuesday.
KROX will continue to provide updates on this story as more information is made available.
