A Duluth man, previously convicted, has received a 13-year-plus prison sentence for his involvement in a large-scale narcotics distribution network. Diaunte Jevon Shields, 44, faced judgment for trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, as declared by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Law enforcement carried out a search warrant at Shields's residence on February 19, 2024, resulting in the seizure of a substantial cache of drugs. Found in the apartment were over a kilogram of fentanyl, a pound of methamphetamine, and a large volume of cocaine, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Alongside the narcotics, a loaded gun and magazine nestled in a cooler further complicated matters.
"Defendant Shields trafficked deadly poison to our community in Duluth—and now will be off the streets for well more than a decade," opined Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick in an announcement following the sentencing. Judge Katherine M. Menendez oversaw the sentencing on Thursday, where Shields was held accountable for his guilty plea entered on August 22, 2024, to one count of possession with intent to distribute.
This conviction stems from a joint investigation which includes contributions from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Duluth Police Department, who had assistance from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. As part of the operation, officers also located another hefty parcel of cocaine in a FedEx box intended for Shields—and upon his arrest—discovered he was carrying over $33,000 in cash.
