Brooklyn Center Man Indicted For Conspiring To Distribute Methamphetamine

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 28-year-old Brooklyn Center man was indicted for conspiring to and distributing methamphetamine. Ricardo Lamar Rodrigues was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of using, carrying and possessing firearms during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.

The indictment alleges that from the summer of 2011 through June 17, 2013, Rodrigues conspired with others to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine, and that on February 27, 2013, Rodrigues attempted to possess with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine. It also alleges that on June 17, 2013, Rodrigues distributed five or more grams of methamphetamine, and possessed with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine while possessing a nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol and a Glock .45-caliber pistol. Because he is a felon, Rodrigues is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm at any time. Rodrigues was previously convicted in Arizona for possession of drug paraphernalia (2012).

According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, authorities began investigating Rodrigues in May 2013. While under surveillance on June 17, officers observed Rodrigues making a suspected drug transaction. He was stopped shortly afterward, and officers seized several Hydrocodone pills and a plastic baggie with suspected drug residue. Earlier, authorities conducted an arranged controlled purchase of methamphetamine at Rodrigues’s residence.

During the execution of a search warrant of Rodrigues’s residence, officers found a large digital scale, a loaded nine-millimeter pistol, and approximately 562.5 grams of methamphetamine inside a safe. The Glock handgun was found in Rodrigues’s bedroom, and a .22-caliber revolver was found hidden inside a cinder block on the back deck. An additional 66.5 grams of methamphetamine was found inside the passenger door of a Ford F-150.

If convicted, Rodrigues faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on the conspiracy, the possession and attempted possession counts; 40 years on the distribution count; ten years on the felon in possession count; and a consecutive five-year sentence on the possessing firearms in relation to drug-trafficking count. Any sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bloomington Police Department, with cooperation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department and the Anoka-Hennepin Drug Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.

To learn more about the harmful effects of methamphetamine, visit http://www.justice.gov/dea/pr/multimedia-library/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf#page=48.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.