Aug. 5 – RED LAKE – Two Bemidji people have been indicted for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in and around the Red Lake Nation.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, 28-year-old Derek Jon Paddy and 20-year-old Robyn Lea Lussier conspired to distribute fentanyl throughout the state of Minnesota between October and November 2023.
In early November, Paddy and Lussier were found in possession of more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
Paddy and Lussier made their first appearances in U.S. District Court on August 2. They were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Red Lake Police Department.
“An indictment is just an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the statement said.
