A Minneapolis drug dealer—who resumed his illicit activities less than four months after Mary Moriarty’s office cut him a plea deal in 2023—has been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison.
Denzel Christopher Meeks, 33, was sentenced to 148 months in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation uncovered during a 2023 investigation, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen announced last month.
Alpha News reported on Meeks’ federal arrest in October 2023 following a series of search warrants executed in St. Louis Park and Minneapolis.
During the searches of residences and vehicles connected to Meeks, members of the Southwest Hennepin and West Metro Drug Task Forces seized 870 grams of powder fentanyl; 4,500 counterfeit pills that also tested positive for fentanyl; 13 grams of cocaine; over $82,000 in suspected drug proceeds; and three handguns. Two of the guns were modified with a “switch,” a device used to convert a semi-automatic firearm to fire automatically.
Meeks was stopped in a vehicle as part of the warrant search when approximately 25 grams of fentanyl were found “in a body cavity.”
A handgun with an extended magazine was located under the dashboard by the steering column of the vehicle. The remainder of the drugs, the two loaded guns with switches, ammunition, multiple magazines, and cash were located at residences and storage units associated with Meeks.
A press release from the U.S. Attorney and other court documents indicate that investigators identified Meeks as a wholesale narcotics trafficker operating throughout the Twin Cities and Minnesota.
In September 2023, law enforcement received information from an informant that Meeks was transporting fentanyl from Chicago via rental vehicles and couriers. The informant told investigators that Meeks was selling fentanyl near the University of Minnesota campus.
Meeks’ activity was subsequently tracked, which showed him meeting up with a man previously described by the informant near the U of M campus. Meeks was then tracked through warrant surveillance as he visited multiple apartment buildings in Minneapolis and New Hope for short periods, and made hand-to-hand transactions at motels in Brooklyn Park.
In total, Meeks admitted to possessing between 1,200 and 4,000 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and possessing several firearms in furtherance of his drug activity.
With regard to his sentencing, the United States argued that “Meeks was not a small-time or sporadic drug distributer,” and noted that the “volume of cash found at locations he controlled, more than $80,000, demonstrates the scope and profitability of Meeks’ drug trafficking enterprise.”
Meeks pleaded guilty on Nov. 3, 2025, to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Federal offenders are required to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Meeks has remained in federal custody since his arrest in 2023.
Prior drug case and probation in Hennepin County
In Meeks’ prior Hennepin County drug case, he was originally charged with second- and third-degree drug possession and sale of fentanyl, which court records indicate occurred at an Uptown Minneapolis apartment building in 2022.
Meeks was offered a plea deal by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office. Moriarty’s office downgraded the charges to a single count of fifth-degree drug possession—which was ultimately approved by Hennepin County Judge Hilary L. Caligiuri.
Meeks received a 25-month prison sentence that was stayed in a downward departure from sentencing guidelines. He was instead credited with three days spent in jail and was placed on probation for two years.
Within three months, however, Meeks was being investigated for drug sales and activity.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
