Derrick Russell Hoff, 36, of Chisago County, is headed to federal prison for 175 months after a violent road rage incident exposed a cache of methamphetamine and a buried 9mm handgun. The sentence, handed down today by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, marks the end of a case rooted in gunfire, drugs, and a man’s disregard for the law.
On July 12, 2020, Hoff wasn’t just driving—he was hunting. Behind the wheel of a pickup truck, he pursued another vehicle, forced it off the road, and opened fire with multiple shots aimed at the two occupants. After ramming the car and leaving it stranded, Hoff ditched his truck on a residential driveway in Chisago County. What he left behind told a damning story: spent shell casings, live rounds, a loaded 9mm magazine, and over 167 grams of crystal methamphetamine packaged in four gallon-size bags.
Chisago County Sheriff’s deputies combed the scene and found more than just drugs. Hidden near the abandoned truck, buried beneath brush and trees, they uncovered a loaded 9mm semiautomatic firearm with 11 rounds—ballistically matched to the casings at the scene. Digital scales, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia filled the cab, painting Hoff as both an armed aggressor and a dealer ready to distribute.
Hoff’s criminal history sealed his fate. With prior felony convictions across Anoka, Chisago, and Isanti Counties, he’s legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition—yet he did so anyway. On June 17, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The prosecution, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar, emphasized the danger Hoff posed: a loaded weapon, a volatile temper, and a stash of high-potency drugs. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats confirmed the sentence, underscoring that illegal guns and drug trafficking won’t be tolerated in Minnesota’s federal jurisdiction.
The case was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office. Hoff now faces 175 months behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release—time to reflect on the road he chose, and the lives he endangered.
Related Federal Cases
- Diana Xiong Charged in Meth, Gun Crimes · Wisconsin
- Eugene Ryan Boos Gets 195 Months for Meth and Guns · Minnesota
- Isanti Meth Kingpin Lucas Indicted for Narcotics, Gun Charges · Minnesota
- Sioux Center Meth Dealer Lopez-Granillo Gets 6+ Years · Minnesota
- Jason Fagin Gets 65 Months for Check Fraud, Meth Payoffs · Minnesota
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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