Brown County Man Arrested in Catalytic Converter Theft Ring

Locally, the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Minnesota Department of Commerce Fraud Bureau, the Sleepy Eye Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office executed multiple search warrants in Brown County in connection with the nationwide catalytic converter theft ring takedown. John Charles Kotten, age 40, was arrested without incident on state charges of Stolen Property when two stolen vehicles were discovered at a federal search warrant location where he was present at the time. John Charles Kotten is currently in the Brown County Jail and awaiting court.