MINNEAPOLIS – A South St. Paul man is facing a trio of federal charges after a December traffic stop revealed a loaded, untraceable “ghost gun” and a quantity of fentanyl, according to authorities. Nicholas Neil Nikiforakis, 33, is alleged to have been carrying the weapon while intending to distribute the deadly opioid.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), working with the Minneapolis Police Department, alleges Nikiforakis was found with the firearm and fentanyl on December 5, 2022. The gun, described as unserialized, raises concerns about its origin and potential connection to other criminal activity. The amount of fentanyl seized was described as a “distribution amount,” suggesting Nikiforakis wasn’t simply a user.
This isn’t Nikiforakis’s first brush with the law. Court documents reveal a substantial criminal history, including prior felony convictions in Dakota, Hennepin, and Anoka Counties. Those convictions include domestic assault, first-degree drug sales, and vehicle theft – all of which legally prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition. Federal law is clear: a convicted felon isn’t allowed to have guns, period.
The indictment handed down by a federal grand jury charges Nikiforakis with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. These charges carry significant penalties if he’s convicted. The feds aren’t playing around when it comes to combining guns and poison.
Nikiforakis made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on February 15, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. He was promptly ordered held without bail, deemed a flight risk and a danger to the community. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is leading the prosecution, meaning Nikiforakis will face a seasoned federal prosecutor in court.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation. Nikiforakis is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, with a history of violent and drug-related offenses, and the presence of a ghost gun and fentanyl, this case promises to be a serious one. The Grimy Times will continue to follow the proceedings and report on any developments.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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