Richfield man Trent Phillip Farris, 22, has been charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession after police say he was observed purchasing drugs and subsequently stuffing the narcotics between his buttocks when police approached.

The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Minneapolis Police Sgt. Sara Metcalf, plainclothes police were on patrol in the area of Lake Street and Blaisdell Avenue South in Minneapolis at about 11 p.m. Aug. 22 when an SUV parked across from a bar was spotted.

As the officer watched, a man approached the vehicle and several men exited. According to the complaint, a man later identified as Farris and the man who had walked to the vehicle stood close together and the officer saw them exchange several small items.

The officer called a marked squad car to the area and as the car pulled up, the two men ducked and moved between cars. Farris then bent over behind a car, pulled down his pants and shoved something between his buttocks, the complaint charges.

Farris was arrested. A subsequent search turned up 1.9 grams of crack between his buttocks, according to the complaint.

Farris admitted later that he had bought the crack for $80, according to Metcalf’s account.

Farris has been released from custody on his promise to make all future court appearances. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled Oct. 3 in Hennepin County District Court.