A federal jury has convicted a Minneapolis resident, Kevin Deandre Bennett, on charges of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and illegal firearm possession. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
The trial revealed that on February 24, 2023, law enforcement officers executed multiple search warrants targeting Bennett, aged 46. During these searches, they recovered over 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, more than $10,000 in cash, and a Glock model 19 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine from his apartment, storage lockers, and person. Additionally, drug-related paraphernalia such as a narcotics press, scale, and individual baggies containing smaller amounts of fentanyl were found.
After a three-day trial overseen by Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz at the U.S. District Court, the jury found Bennett guilty on two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew C. Murphy and Andrew Dunne prosecuted the case.