A member of the Minneapolis Highs gang has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
Court documents reveal that Deandre Poe, also known as "Squizzy" or "Fat Squad," aged 35, was affiliated with the Highs, a street gang active on Minneapolis's north side since around 2004. The gang was known to gather at specific locations near West Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North. Members demonstrated their loyalty through violent acts benefiting the gang or by providing resources like drugs or firearms. There was an expectation for members to target rival gangs; failure to do so resulted in expulsion and physical punishment.
Poe's role included participation in a significant fentanyl trafficking operation with suppliers based in Arizona. Between November 2022 and March 2023, he took multiple trips from Minneapolis to Phoenix, mailing bulk parcels of fentanyl back to Minnesota using the U.S. Postal Service.
On October 3, 2024, Poe admitted guilt to one count of engaging in a RICO conspiracy linked to the Highs criminal enterprise. His sentencing occurred on March 4, 2025, under U.S. District Court Judge Nancy E. Brasel.
The investigation involved several agencies: FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Minneapolis Police Department; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office; Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; and Minnesota Department of Corrections. Support came from the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office among others.
Prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion, Carla J. Baumel, Rebecca E. Kline and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez for the District of Minnesota alongside Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
