Six Sentenced in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy Tied to Nearly 30 Kilograms of Pills
Photo Credit: U.S. Attorney’s Office District of MN
Published: August 15th, 2026.
TWIN CITIES MN: Six people have been sentenced for their roles in a federal fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that authorities say brought nearly 30 kilograms of fentanyl pills from Arizona into Minnesota for distribution.
The defendants received a combined 540 months — 45 years — in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. Amanda Jennifer Freeman, 38, of St. Paul, became the sixth and final defendant to be sentenced in the case when she appeared before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis on Aug. 4.
Federal prosecutors said the conspiracy operated from at least September 2023 through March 2024 and involved sourcing fentanyl pills in Arizona, transporting them to Minnesota, storing them and redistributing them to lower-level dealers.
According to court documents, Shiloe Devanglo Nixon, 37, and Malik Deronte Nixon, 30, both of Woodbury, conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and enlisted others to transport pills from Arizona to the Twin Cities.
Prosecutors said Freeman drove a shipment of fentanyl pills from Arizona to the Twin Cities in February 2024 and stored them at a rental home in St. Paul. Police executed a search warrant at the home on Feb. 6, 2024, and seized nearly 9.7 kilograms of fentanyl pills.
About a month later, New Mexico State Police stopped a vehicle driven by Zakiya Niajoneu Whitney, 25, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, on Interstate 40. According to federal authorities, Whitney consented to a search of the vehicle, and a trooper discovered approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl pills that prosecutors said were destined for the Nixons and intended for distribution in Minnesota.
Weeks later, Shiloe and Malik Nixon were returning to Minnesota from Phoenix after allegedly picking up another approximately 9.7 kilograms of fentanyl pills when a Minnesota State Patrol trooper stopped their vehicle. Authorities said the pills were divided among nine clear plastic bags and concealed inside a backpack.
Federal prosecutors said Ernesto Alexis Seals, 28, of Welch, was regularly supplied with fentanyl pills between September and November 2023 and distributed them to others. During a November 2023 search of Seals’ home, police also found a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun that prosecutors said he possessed in connection with his fentanyl distribution.
Justin Keith Banks, 37, of Rush City, also obtained fentanyl pills from a supplier and distributed them to customers between October and November 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Shiloe Nixon and Malik Nixon were each sentenced to 180 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Seals received 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release, while Banks received 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release.
Freeman and Whitney were each sentenced to time served followed by two years of supervised release.
“These sentences demonstrate my office’s commitment to investigate and take down fentanyl trafficking operations,” U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said in announcing the completed sentencings. “The coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners ensured that those responsible were prosecuted and held accountable.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Dakota County Drug Task Force, Minnesota State Patrol, New Mexico State Police, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Police Department and other law enforcement partners.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.