A six-person fentanyl trafficking cases involving nearly 30 kilograms of fentanyl pills came to a close when the final defendant was sentenced Aug. 4.
Amanda Jennifer Freeman, 38, of St. Paul, was sentenced to time served and two years of supervised release in the case. The six defendants collectively received 540 months, or 45 years, in prison.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the conspiracy operated from September 2023 through March 2024 and involved sourcing fentanyl in Arizona, transporting the pills to Minnesota, storing them at locations in the Twin Cities, and redistributing them to lower-level dealers.
Shiloe Devanglo Nixon and Malik Deronte Nixon, both of Woodbury, conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to court documents. The Nixons enlisted others to transport fentanyl pills from Arizona to the Twin Cities, where the drugs were then distributed to other dealers.
Freeman was the final defendant to be sentenced. Shiloe Nixon, 37, and Malik Nixon, 30, each received 180 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Ernesto Alexis Seals, 28, of Welch, was sentenced to 120 months and five years of supervised release. Justin Keith Banks, 37, of Rush City, received 60 months and four years of supervised release. Zakiya Niajoneu Whitney, 25, of San Tan Valley, Ariz., was sentenced to time served and two years of supervised release.
The case involved multiple shipments of fentanyl pills traveling from Arizona to Minnesota, with law enforcement seizing nearly 30 kilograms over the course of the investigation.
“Drug trafficking conspiracies are built on individual choices, and every person who agrees to play a part helps move dangerous drugs closer to our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Olson of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “After years in law enforcement, I have seen how quickly one bad decision can alter the course of a life. With all defendants now sentenced, we remain committed to working with our federal and local partners to disrupt the flow of fentanyl into Minnesota.”
According to the press release, Freeman’s role in the conspiracy involved transporting the pills from Arizona to the Twin Cities and storing them in a rental home in St. Paul.
On Feb. 5, 2024, the Nixons received a shipment of fentanyl pills from Freeman. The following day, police executed a search warrant at the rental home and seized nearly 9.7 kilograms of fentanyl pills.
About a month later, another shipment headed for Minnesota was intercepted in New Mexico. A New Mexico State Police trooper stopped Whitney’s vehicle on Interstate 40. Whitney consented to a search of the vehicle, and troopers seized approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl pills that were intended to be delivered to the Nixons for distribution in Minnesota.
Just weeks later, Shiloe and Malik Nixon were traveling back to Minnesota from Phoenix after obtaining approximately 9.7 kilograms of fentanyl pills from their source, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A Minnesota State Patrol trooper stopped their vehicle and discovered the pills in nine clear plastic bags, hidden in a backpack.
The investigation also uncovered the roles of Seals and Banks within the conspiracy.
From September through November 2023, Seals was regularly supplied with fentanyl pills that he distributed to others. On Nov. 7, police executed a search warrant at Seals’ home and found a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol connected to his fentanyl distribution.
Banks also obtained fentanyl pills from his supplier and distributed them to customers between October and November 2023, according to prosecutors.
“The sentencing in this case reflects the serious consequences of trafficking dangerous narcotics into our communities,” said Colonel Christina Bogojevic, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “The Minnesota State Patrol is proud of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our troopers, whose work contributed to the successful seizure of a significant quantity of fentanyl pills and supported our federal law enforcement partners in holding those responsible accountable.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the Nixons and Banks each have multiple prior felony convictions. Shiloe Nixon’s criminal history includes a 2014 conviction for first-degree aggravated robbery, a 2013 conviction for third-degree burglary, and a 2009 conviction for first-degree aggravated robbery, the press release said.
Malik Nixon’s criminal history includes a 2017 conviction for second-degree aggravated robbery and a 2016 conviction for third-degree assault, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Banks has a 2015 conviction for aiding and abetting the solicitation of a person under the age of 18 years to practice prostitution, a 2015 conviction for felony theft, and a 2013 conviction for domestic assault by strangulation, the press release added.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Dakota County Drug Task Force, the Minnesota State Patrol, the New Mexico State Police and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Police Department.
Rachael Van Rossum
Rachael Van Rossum is a journalist and author who studies political science in the Twin Cities. She previously interned with the Illinois House of Representatives and recently published her debut fantasy novel "The Hellburner of Sovi." Rachael is passionate about telling compelling stories and bringing to life the voices of political figures, athletes, and members of her community through engaging writing. She is the Alpha News journalism fellow for the summer of 2026.
