One of the biggest drug cases in Twin Ports history has resulted in more than two dozen convictions and lengthy federal prison sentences for many.
A federal jury in Minneapolis late on Wednesday found the last defendant in the drug ring guilty of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone and heroin in Duluth and Superior. Lawrence Lalonde Colton, 43, of Detroit also was convicted on three separate counts of distributing or aiding and abetting the distribution of oxymorphone.
Colton faces a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each count of the conviction. The federal criminal justice system does not have parole.
Colton and 25 co-conspirators were indicted on Sept. 21, 2011. Seventeen of the co-defendants have already been sentenced for their roles in the drug trafficking operation, while eight have pleaded guilty and are waiting for sentencing.
"This case will rid us of some longtime habitual offenders as well as help address the growing prescription drug and heroin problem facing our region," Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said.
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Hermantown police and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also were involved in the investigation. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Slaughter.
The investigation began in 2010 after law enforcement noted an increase in Opana trafficking in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Opana is a prescription pain killer that contains oxymorphone, a controlled substance.
Law enforcement officers conducted dozens of controlled purchases of Opana and other drugs being sold illegally by ring members. As part of the investigation, authorities also executed search warrants on Sept. 27, 2011, at 11 properties throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. In those searches, they seized large amounts of narcotics as well as firearms, ammunition, and about $30,000 in cash.
Eleven defendants were sentenced to prison last week for their roles in the drug ring:
Nicolas Zane Worley, 24, of Duluth, 32 months Six defendants were sentenced last month:
Johnnie Lee Leddell, 31, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., 46 months Eight other defendants await sentencing: Gordon Eugene Sharp, 24, of Duluth; Jacob Keith Nagle, 24, of Duluth; Jeffrey Lamont Liddell, 28, of Superior; Daniel Allen Stenzel, 24, of Duluth; Krystal Lynn Willis, 26, of Esko; Dillon Phillip Beyers, 20, of Superior; Angelique Michelle Vos, 23, of Superior; and Ian Philip Stauber, 24, of Hermantown.
