Maple Grove Felon Convicted of Fentanyl, Machinegun Possession

MINNEAPOLIS – Derrick Maurice Scott, a 34-year-old Maple Grove resident, has been found guilty by a federal jury of trafficking fentanyl pills and possession of a machinegun, according to United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

In a two-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen, Scott was convicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of carrying a machinegun during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a machinegun, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. The mandatory minimum prison sentence he faces is 30 years.

“Mr. Scott’s bad acts caused significant harm in our communities. His disregard for human life required swift and significant consequences,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

At trial, evidence was presented that on June 4, 2022, Scott had threatened a man at a convenience store with a firearm. During a subsequent traffic stop, officers recovered 355 fentanyl pills, a Glock 41 pistol equipped with an auto-sear and a high-capacity magazine.

The investigation leading to Scott’s conviction was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Hollenhorst and Chelsea A. Walcker prosecuted the case.

“Drug dealers utilizing auto-sears are doing severe damage to the people in our communities, and it must stop,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary. “Today’s conviction is a case where a criminal who is clearly willing to do violence using these devices has been held accountable.”

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