United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of JOHN HENRY EDMONDS, 35, to 80 months in prison for distribution of heroin, carfentanil, methamphetamine, and furanyl fentanyl. EDMONDS, who pleaded guilty on March 20, 2018, was sentenced today before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minn.
United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “This is the first case in the District of Minnesota involving carfentanil and one of the first involving furanyl fentanyl. Sadly, highly potent and extremely lethal opioid analogues such as these are becoming more common on the illegal drug market and the devastating societal impact of these substances, even in very small quantities, cannot be overstated. I commend the work of the DEA for taking a firm stance against those who threaten our communities with deadly drugs."
“The trafficking of fentanyl analogues represents a significant threat to public safety," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Solek. “Investigations like this are vitally important to our neighborhoods and communities, and DEA is proud of the close ties we have with our state and local counterparts, who work tirelessly along with DEA to strive for a drug free community."
According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on multiple dates between July 6 and Aug. 22, 2017, EDMONDS distributed a total of 5.9 grams of mixtures and substances containing heroin, carfentanil, methamphetamine, and furanyl fentanyl to an individual, who unbeknownst to EDMONDS, was cooperating with law enforcement. EDMONDS was taken into federal custody on Sept. 25, 2017.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Bloomington Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Surya Saxena.
Defendant Information:
JOHN HENRY EDMONDS, 35
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
* Distribution of heroin, carfentanil, methamphetamine, and furanyl fentanyl, 5 counts
Sentenced:
* 80 months in prison
* Five years of supervised release
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
