Richfield and West St. Paul Sting: Man Charged After Allegedly Selling Over 500 Grams of Meth and Fentanyl
WEST ST PAUL, MINNESOTA—A Twin Cities man faces multiple felony drug charges after undercover officers purchased fentanyl and methamphetamine from him in two separate controlled buys this summer, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators with the Dakota County Drug Task Force (DCDTF) identified Ernesto Campos Gonzalez as a suspected dealer following two undercover drug transactions conducted in July 2025.
Controlled Buys in Two Counties
The first transaction occurred on July 24 near Elliot Avenue and East 73rd Street in Richfield, Hennepin County. An undercover officer entered Gonzalez’s vehicle and exchanged cash for a substance that later tested positive for fentanyl, weighing approximately 55.74 grams.
A second controlled buy was completed on July 30 near Stryker Avenue and Bernard Avenue in West St. Paul, Dakota County, where Gonzalez allegedly sold about 450.54 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer.
Because the sales occurred in two counties within 90 days, prosecutors are permitted under Minnesota Statutes §152.021, subdivision 3(e) to combine the offenses and prosecute them in a single county. They chose to prosecute in Dakota County.
Arrest and Charges
Gonzalez was arrested on October 7, 2025, by agents with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Dakota County Jail, where he remains in custody.
According to the formal charging documents, Gonzalez is charged with the following felony offenses:
Count I: Controlled Substance Crime in the 1st Degree (Sale) – Cocaine/Methamphetamine
Minn. Stat. 152.021.1(1), ref. 152.021.3(c)
Allegation: Gonzalez sold or possessed 100 grams or more (or 500 or more dosage units) of methamphetamine within 90 days between July 24 and July 30, 2025.
Maximum Sentence: 65 months to 40 years in prison and/or a fine of $300,000–$1,000,000.Count II: Controlled Substance Crime in the 1st Degree (Sale) – Heroin or Fentanyl
Minn. Stat. 152.021.1(3), ref. 152.021.3(a)
Allegation: Gonzalez sold or possessed 10 grams or more (or 40 or more dosage units) of fentanyl within the same time period.
Maximum Sentence: Up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of $300,000–$1,000,000.
Bail and Court Conditions
At Gonzalez’s initial court appearance, the Judge set bail at $100,000 without conditions, or $75,000 with specific conditions. When the prosecutors requested bail for Gonzalez, they asked for significant bail due primarily to the large amount of fentanyl Gonzalez sold to an undercover officer during the investigation. It is also alleged that Gonzalez was involved in the sale of drugs in Minnesota on behalf of a Mexican-based drug cartel. Prosecutors also stated that Gonzalez allegedly told investigators he would return to Mexico if released from custody, prompting concerns over re-appearance and risk of flight.
Case Status
As of October 10th, Gonzalez remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail. His next court hearing date is set for October 30, 2025, at 9 AM in Hastings, Minnesota.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Juan Perez
