Twin Ports crime spree, standoff suspect indicted on federal charges

A man who allegedly stole multiple guns and vehicles, attempted to rob a Superior bank and barricaded himself inside a West Duluth apartment building for several hours in October has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Cody Lee Walker-Nelson, 30, is charged with attempted bank robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment was handed down Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Madison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Walker-Nelson already was facing 26 charges, including 24 felonies, in state courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin following the alleged Oct. 1 crime spree.

Court documents allege that he broke into a Superior home on Karky Road and stole 12 firearms before driving to Duluth and stealing a Chevrolet Tahoe, which he later drove into a garage in Gary-New Duluth.

When a police officer attempted to stop him, Walker-Nelson allegedly crashed into a van transporting two vulnerable adults before speeding off to a gas station and stealing a Ford Escape. He is then suspected of driving to Superior and attempting to rob Associated Bank.

PREVIOUSLY: Man arrested in West Duluth standoff faces 19 felony charges Cody Lee Walker-Nelson's criminal complaint outlines a long list of events that allegedly occurred in Duluth and Superior before the multi-hour standoff.
Court documents allege that Walker-Nelson then drove to West Duluth and pointed a firearm at a woman, shooting a round into the sky, before driving to Piedmont and trying to steal another vehicle. He was located on Haines Road, pursued by authorities at up to 100 mph, before hitting another vehicle on Mesaba Avenue.

After authorities aborted the chase due to safety concerns, Walker-Nelson reportedly made his way to a Spirit Valley apartment building, 601 N. Central Ave., and barricaded himself inside.

Walker-Nelson allegedly shot four times through the apartment window at a drone operated by officers. He shot another time through the apartment wall and into the adjoining apartment and tossed three firearms, also linked to the Superior burglary, out the window, court documents said.

He was taken into custody after approximately six hours, with police saying they recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition, two swords, a handgun and a rifle.

PREVIOUSLY: Suspect in West Duluth standoff had walk-in safe as refuge

The new federal charges have Walker-Nelson facing up to 20 years for the attempted bank robbery and 10 years for the firearm possession charge, if convicted. The brandishing charge carries a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison, with federal law requiring that it be imposed consecutively with any other penalty imposed.

The federal charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Duluth and Superior police departments, FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.