Jul. 18—MINNEAPOLIS — A 35-year-old man has been found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl after trafficking the drug from Minneapolis to Bemidji in 2022.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, in the summer of 2022, special agents with the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force learned that 35-year-old Antonio Trevyll McGraw-Williams was bringing fentanyl from Minneapolis to Bemidji and selling it to others.
According to court documents, McGraw-Williams bragged that his fentanyl was so “strong” he might “catch a body,” meaning he might kill a person.
The agents learned McGraw-Williams was selling fentanyl out of a hotel room in Bemidji. The agents applied for and received a search warrant to search the room.
Inside the hotel room, agents found a bag of fentanyl, tin foils with user amounts of drugs, a blender to mix drugs, a scale to measure out drugs for sale, and mini Ziploc-style plastic bags for packaging drugs for users, the release said.
The agents also found McGraw-Williams’ cell phone and a receipt bearing his name. Agents searched the phone and found numerous text conversations where McGraw-Williams was arranging drug deals, the release continued.
Later, DNA experts at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified McGraw-Williams’ DNA on the bag of fentanyl.
McGraw-Williams has a criminal history that includes convictions for first-degree aggravated robbery, felony violation of order for protection, and felony domestic assault.
After a four-day trial in U.S. District Court, a federal jury found McGraw-Williams guilty of one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date.
McGraw-Williams faces a sentence a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
“This defendant knew exactly what he was doing — pushing deadly poison into our communities that he bragged was strong enough to kill. This is appalling,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said in the release. “With a long and violent criminal history, this defendant made a career out of exploiting addiction and endangering lives. .
“Today’s conviction sends a clear message: if you try to profit off of death and destruction, you will be held accountable. The people of Bemidji and greater Minnesota deserve better than to live under the threat of fentanyl-fueled addiction and loss.”