A Duluth woman faces charges related to illegal possession of a firearm and drug trafficking. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced the indictment against Khadijah Denise Preston, 30.
Court documents state that Preston was found with a Smith & Wesson model M&P Shield M2.0 handgun on December 8, 2023. She also possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute on October 9, 2024.
Preston's previous felony conviction in Hennepin County for second-degree assault prohibits her from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The indictment includes one count of illegal firearm possession and two counts of fentanyl possession with intent to distribute. Preston appeared in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois on March 6, 2025.
The investigation involved the Duluth Police Department, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nichole J. Carter is handling the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
