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9 Indicted in ‘Big Sip’ Fentanyl Conspiracy
MINNEAPOLIS – Nine defendants have been indicted on federal fentanyl and firearms charges for their involvement in the “Big Sip Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO)” – a violent drug trafficking organization that sold out of at least five apartment buildings near the intersection of 36th Avenue North and North Penn Avenue in Minneapolis, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Today marks the federal takedown of yet another dangerous criminal organization. And we will not stop,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The Big Sip drug trafficking organization wreaked havoc at 36th and Penn, bringing guns, violence, and deadly fentanyl to neighborhood apartment buildings. The law-abiding people of Minneapolis deserve better. I am proud of the federal, state, and local team that came together to protect the neighborhood from this fentanyl trafficking organization.”
The Big Sip DTO was led and operated by Larry McGee, 42, and Danielle Robberstad, 35, who are husband and wife. The organization was an efficient sales operation with defined roles. At the top, McGee led the organization, obtaining and storing the fentanyl product, collecting proceeds, and managing other members of the organization. Robberstad was a co-leader of the organization, maintaining the apartments used for fentanyl storage and sales, interacting with customers, providing vehicles for use by the organization members, and managing other members’ sales.
The other defendants, Maurice Montgomery, 31, Dameon Collins, 24, Marcus Lucious, 53, Romell Vann, 22, Bobby Nolan, 43, and Jeremy Lucious, 35, all sold fentanyl on behalf of the organization to users at the apartments controlled by the Big Sip DTO. Montgomery was responsible for collecting and transporting the profits of the fentanyl sales to McGee. Montgomery, as well as Collins and Vann, all possessed firearms to protect their product and sale activities.
The defendants were indicted for a Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. Three defendants, Montgomery, Collins, and Vann, were also indicted for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Seven defendants made their initial appearances today and are all detained pending further proceedings. An eighth defendant will make his initial appearance tomorrow. A ninth defendant remains under seal. The defendants all face up to life in prison.
“Time and again, violent drug trafficking rings try to take root in our communities, bringing with them illegal guns, violence, and fear,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “As soon as these organizations surface, ATF, along with our law enforcement partners, will be there to dismantle their operations and hold them accountable. We will not allow armed criminal groups to threaten the safety and future of the Twin Cities.”
This operation disrupted a violent drug trafficking network that was funneling narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, to the streets, said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “These drugs and the criminals who traffic them, bring death, sorrow, and fear to our communities. As this coordinated operation demonstrates, those who poison and terrorize our communities will be held accountable.”
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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