Minneapolis sees another chapter close in its ongoing battle with drug-related crimes. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Keith Haywood, a repeat felon, has been handed down an eight-year prison sentence for his role in drug trafficking. The sentence follows Haywood’s guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Law enforcement, alert to steadily emerge as a recurrent thorn in Haywood’s life, pounced on a tip back in September 2022. This warning led officers to a stash comprising 230 grams of heroin, a considerable quantity of cocaine, firearms, and cash at Haywood's North Minneapolis residence. A separate search further uncovered an additional cache of drugs in his vehicle, including a fentanyl/heroin mixture and more cocaine.
The sentencing, which took place today, was presided over by U.S. District Judge R. Tunheim. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Judge Tunheim noted the involvement of fentanyl as a factor that upped the ante on Haywood’s offenses. “crime was serious, and the fact that fentanyl was involved made it especially dangerous,” Tunheim was quoted in the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigation that led to Haywood's door was a joint endeavor by the Minneapolis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Green and Lindsey E. Middlecamp have to be credited for successfully prosecuting the case, ensuring this drug trafficker is held accountable for his actions in the legal arena.
Following his incarceration, Haywood is slated to further endure 48 months of supervised release. For now, the sentence handed down to Haywood has served to deal another blow to the cycle of drug distribution and its incumbent dangers that continue to challenge communities across Minneapolis.
