By: Devin Fry
MOORHEAD, Minn. (Valley News Live) – Two Moorhead parents have been charged with multiple felonies in connection with a drug incident at Horizon Middle School that sickened 12 students Monday, according to court documents filed Thursday in Clay County District Court.
Martin Jay Hulst, 40, and Amanda Rhae Hulst, 43, each face nine counts, including aggravated first-degree sale and possession of a controlled substance. Both are in custody.
According to court documents, a child told investigators that Martin Hulst was supplying a juvenile student, his child, with THC vape cartridges to sell at school, and that the child was returning the proceeds to him. Investigators say more than 12 people had purchased cartridges from the juvenile prior to Monday’s incident.
On May 18, the juvenile allegedly distributed cannabis-infused candy to classmates at Horizon Middle School East Campus. Twelve students were sickened. Two were taken to the emergency room by ambulance, one of whom had fallen, struck their head, and was semi-conscious. The remaining students were released to their parents or guardians.
What Investigators Found
Officers executed a search warrant at the Hulst home in the 1100 block of 10½ St. N on May 19. Inside a red sweatshirt belonging to the juvenile, investigators found cannabis-infused sour belt candy strips, matching what was distributed at school. The candy contained 300 mg of THC per strip, according to court documents.
A basement room in the home appeared to be set up as a storefront, stocked with THC products, a scale, packaging materials, and bags printed with “Thank You.”
Among the items seized:
- Approximately 604.4 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, found in a Coors Light bag, which field-tested positive
- Approximately 483.69 grams of suspected THC wax
- Multiple boxes of THC cartridges — one box alone contained 744 grams of THC
- $73,380 in cash found in safes near the cartridges
- THC products throughout the home, including in a bedroom with a crib and children’s toys
The Arrests
The Hulsts were vacationing in California when the search warrant was executed. Officers tracked them to the Fargo airport, followed their vehicle into Clay County, and took both into custody during a traffic stop.
Court documents note Martin Hulst has six prior felony drug convictions since 2005, including a 2019 conviction for second-degree sale of a controlled substance in Clay County and a 2020 conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and deliver methamphetamine in Cass County, N.D.
The Charges
Both Martin and Amanda Hulst each face nine counts, including:
- Aggravated first-degree sale of a controlled substance — minimum 86 months in prison, up to $1 million fine
- Aggravated first-degree possession of a controlled substance
- First-degree drug sale (hallucinogen)
- Conspiracy to commit first-degree drug sale
- First-degree possession of a hallucinogen
- First-degree possession of edible cannabis products (more than 1 kg THC)
- Conspiracy to possess edible cannabis products
- First-degree cannabis possession (concentrate)
- Gross misdemeanor child endangerment
Prosecutors cited two aggravating factors: the sale of a controlled substance to a minor, and possession of quantities substantially exceeding the minimum threshold for the offense.
