5 Indicted Northern Minn. Methamphetamine Case

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Four men and one woman were indicted recently in Minneapolis Federal Court in connection with case involving the distribution of methamphetamine in northern Minnesota.

The indictment, filed Feb. 14, charges Antonio Chavez Aguirre Jr., 29 of Balsam Lake, Wis.; David Michael Cook, 38, and Trisha Nicole Cullen, 28, both of Hibbing; David Richard DeKing, 54 of Carlton and Shad Daniel O'Neil, 33 of Grand Rapids, with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Aguirre Jr. and DeKing were also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Cullen and O'Neill were additionally charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and O'Neil was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the indictment, all five conspired with each other to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine from the spring of 2011 to Jan. 26, 2012. The four men were also accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it on various dates. O'Neil is accused of possessing two handguns.

O'Neil has prior felony convictions of marijuana sale, first-degree burglary, writing bad checks and conspiracy to offer forged checks, all offenses in St. Louis County. O'Neil has also previously been convicted for a second-degree controlled substance and a fifth-degree controlled substance offense.

If convicted, all five face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the conspiracy charge. Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, while possession with intent to distribute less than 50 grams has a maximum sentence of 20 years. O'Neil could face up to 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.