ST. PAUL, MN – Jesus Martinez Salazar, 32, of Bloomington, Minnesota, has confessed to his part in a hard-drug operation, pleading guilty to a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The deal, busted by a multi-agency task force, involved a planned sale to an undercover officer, and now threatens to land Salazar behind bars for a long stretch.
According to court documents unsealed Friday, Salazar teamed up with Derrick Dammons, 45, of Minneapolis, to peddle 1.5 pounds of meth for $3,750. The target? An undercover law enforcement officer posing as a buyer. On January 10, 2023, Dammons allegedly picked up the drugs from Salazar, then completed the transaction with the officer. The pair then immediately divided the cash, believing they’d gotten away with it.
They hadn’t. Federal agents moved in, bringing the conspiracy to light. Because of a prior drug conviction, Salazar is facing a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison. The length of the sentence is a clear message from the U.S. Attorney’s Office: repeat offenders pushing poison on the streets will face serious consequences.
Dammons, 45, already pleaded guilty on December 7, 2023, to the same charge – conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing dates for both men have not yet been announced, but both are likely looking at substantial time behind bars. This case underscores the relentless effort of federal agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within Minnesota.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Eagan Police Department, demonstrates the power of interagency cooperation in tackling complex criminal enterprises. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is leading the prosecution, determined to see justice served.
This isn’t just about taking drugs off the streets; it’s about holding accountable those who profit from addiction and endanger communities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the legal system, providing updates on sentencing and any further developments. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Andrew M. Luger, remains committed to prosecuting these types of crimes to the fullest extent of the law.
Related Federal Cases
- Erick Lizarraga, Meth Trafficking Conspiracy, California 2023 · Alabama
- Meth Conspiracy Sentences, South Dakota 2024 · Oregon
- Carnel Lavel Harrison, Crack Cocaine Conspiracy, Minnesota 2015 · North Dakota
- James Kelly Benson, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Minnesota 2014 · South Dakota
- Sergio Lopez-Granillo, Iowa Meth Conspiracy, 2017 · Oregon
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