Two Claremont Men Plead Guilty To Conspiring To Distribute Methamphetamine

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in St. Paul, a 33-year-old man from the southeastern Minnesota community of Claremont pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Michael Steven Schoenfelder specifically pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine. Schoenfelder, who was indicted along with Clancy Shane Amy on May 6, 2013, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle.

On June 12, 2013, Amy, age 38, also from Claremont, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine.

In their respective plea agreements, the defendants admitted that from at least August 2012 through March 2013, they conspired to distribute methamphetamine and other controlled substances from Mexico and Texas to areas within southeastern Minnesota. Both also admitted obtaining and selling approximately one pound of methamphetamine. In addition, Amy admitted that between January and March 2013, he sold methamphetamine to law enforcement in several arranged controlled purchases. On April 16, 2013, during the execution of a search warrant at Amy’s residence, authorities seized approximately 112 grams of methamphetamine, numerous plastic baggies, nine-millimeter and .38-caliber ammunition, two digital scales, a nine-millimeter handgun, a .22-caliber, semi-automatic handgun, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a safe that contained $615, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

For their crimes, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Judge Kyle will determine their sentences at future hearings, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota South Central Drug Investigation Unit, and the Southeastern Minnesota Gang and Narcotics Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.