ST. PAUL, MN – Levi Adams Westbrook, 30, of Bemidji, Minnesota, has confessed to a serious drug trafficking offense, according to federal prosecutors. Westbrook pleaded guilty last Friday, February 24, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in U.S. District Court before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright. The case, which began with a May 2, 2022 traffic stop, paints a picture of a calculated effort to move a significant amount of the dangerous drug.
The bust unfolded after law enforcement surveilled Westbrook meeting with a suspected drug trafficker in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Officers tailed Westbrook as he headed north, ultimately stopping the vehicle he was riding in. The search didn’t take long. A plastic bag containing approximately one pound of methamphetamine was in plain view on the floorboard where Westbrook was seated.
But the contraband didn’t stop there. A search of the vehicle also revealed a .22 caliber “pen” gun hidden within the passenger compartment. The weapon, cleverly disguised to resemble a writing instrument, discharged *while* officers were attempting to secure it as evidence, adding another layer of danger to the situation. No injuries were reported from the accidental discharge.
United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced the guilty plea, but provided few details beyond the established facts of the case. The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, and the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, highlights the ongoing struggle to stem the flow of methamphetamine into northern Minnesota.
Westbrook’s sentencing date remains unconfirmed. He faces a potentially lengthy prison term for the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott is handling the prosecution, and is expected to argue for a substantial sentence given the quantity of drugs involved and the presence of the illegal firearm.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it is scheduled. The incident underscores the persistent problem of drug trafficking and illegal weapons proliferation across the state, and the dedication of federal agencies to disrupting these criminal networks. The full extent of Westbrook’s involvement in the larger drug operation remains under investigation.
Related Federal Cases
- Tyson Curtis LeCompte, Meth Distribution and Escape, SD 2017 · South Dakota
- Michael Geraghty, Methamphetamine Distribution, Mason City IA, 2013 · Iowa
- John Starks Sr. and Casey Duhme Charged with Meth Manufacturing, Du… · Iowa
- Ryan Hansen, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, IA, 2013 · Iowa
- Isaias Vasquez-Amaya, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, MN, … · Iowa
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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