14 Minnesota Gang Members Named in Drug Trafficking Indictment

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Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - Federal prosecutors in Minnesota today unsealed an indictment charging 14 additional members and associates of a Minneapolis street gang with racketeering conspiracy and fentanyl trafficking.

According to the indictment, members of the Minneapolis Highs gang conspired with Arizona-based suppliers to create an extensive fentanyl trafficking operation. It is alleged that between the summer of 2020 and the spring of this year, members of the gang made numerous round-trip flights from Minnesota to Phoenix to purchase fentanyl pills to sell in Minneapolis. Some of the defendants also face charges involving firearms violations, kidnapping, assault, and carjacking.

The charges also allege the gang members shipped packages containing the narcotics through the US Postal Service from Arizona to Minneapolis. A news release says the investigation into the operation led to the seizure of 11.6 kilos of fentanyl, three dozen firearms, and $218,000 cash.

“Today’s charges against the Highs gang are focused on the criminal organization’s extensive fentanyl trafficking operations,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “Selling fentanyl in our communities is as dangerous and lethal as the brazen gun violence we’ve seen in our cities. Addressing the nexus between narcotics trafficking and violent crime is a critical piece of our Violent Crime Strategy, and I am grateful to my law enforcement partners who are equally focused on protecting the lives of Minnesotans, regardless of the threat.”

The US Attorney for Minnesota listed the defendants named in the indictment.

• Gregory Brown, aka Lil’ G, aka Knowledge, 33, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
  Marques Walker, aka Q, aka Quez, 41, is charged with RICO Conspiracy,
• Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
• Deandre Poe, aka Squizzy, aka Fat Squad, 34, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
  Clinton Brown, aka CJ, 29, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Amarjah Lester, aka M-Thang, 21, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Possession of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
• Christopher Lee Washington, aka Flock, aka David Hendricks, 29, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Ernest Ketter, aka Shakedown, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Robert Lesure, aka Bibby Folks, 21, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Avante Nix, aka Fat Folks, 21, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Arron Davis, aka A-Boogie, 31, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Dashawn Jackson, aka D-Nice, 31, is charged with RICO Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Jadarius Wright, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
• Carlos Serrano, 31, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Leneal Frazier, aka Baby Chop, aka Lil’ Chop, 22, who was previously indicted on September 6, 2023, is charged with Kidnapping in Aid of Racketeering, Assault in Aid of Racketeering, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.

All but two of the defendants are from Minneapolis. Some of the charges carry the possibility of life in prison.