Seven individuals have been sentenced in U.S. District Court for their roles in a drug-trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl pills throughout Minnesota, including the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
Court documents state that Latre Lamont Anderson, Khianna Rose Clark-Strong, Jacquez O’Neal Fondern, Rozell Antonio Grainger, Issac Oneal Maiden, Olivia Mae Erin Martineau-Johns, and Jeremy James Nelson-Caban Jr. were involved in obtaining fentanyl from Phoenix, Arizona and distributing it across the Twin Cities area. The group concealed thousands of fentanyl pills inside toys or household items before mailing them to various addresses in Minnesota.
The investigation led to the seizure of approximately 200,000 fentanyl pills—equivalent to over 14 kilograms—along with four firearms (some equipped with high-capacity magazines or switches) and thousands of dollars in cash.
“As a direct result of this investigation, DEA and our law enforcement partners across the region prevented thousands of deadly doses of fentanyl from hitting the streets,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie. “If these deadly counterfeit pills had spread into our Minnesota communities, lives would have been lost and families broken. Our agency remains committed to disrupting the fentanyl supply chain and our enforcement efforts will not let up until the entire global distribution network has been dismantled and brought to justice.”
Joseph Persails, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF St. Paul Field Division stated: “This [drug-trafficking] organization pumped significant quantities of dangerous narcotics into Minnesota communities and fueled violence in the process. ATF special agents and our task force officers, working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, committed months of work to dismantling this network and stopping the damage it was causing. These sentences hold the defendants accountable and send a clear message that those who profit from addiction and violence will face consequences.”
Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry added: “Cases like these run deep into our neighborhoods and affect all those who live, visit and work in Saint Paul. We’re now able to hold these people accountable for their actions, thanks to the joint effort with our long-standing partnerships with the ATF, DEA, USPIS, and local law enforcement agencies. We’re proud of this investigation and of all those involved in this case.”
U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis imposed sentences as follows:
- Latre Lamont Anderson received 156 months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release.
- Issac Oneal Maiden received 156 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
- Rozell Antonio Grainger received 120 months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release.
- Jeremy James Nelson-Caban Jr., sentenced to 36 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
- Olivia Mae Erin Martineau-Johns received nine months imprisonment followed by two years supervised release for violating conditions of her previous release.
- Jacquez O’Neal Fondern was sentenced to time served plus three years supervised release for distribution charges.
- Khianna Rose Clark-Strong was sentenced to time served plus supervised release until October 23, 2027 for violating her previous conditions.
The case resulted from an investigation conducted by several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States Postal Inspector’s Service (USPIS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Saint Paul Police Department as well as other state and local law enforcement agencies operating in northern Minnesota.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst prosecuted the case.
