Minneapolis Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Distribute Controlled Substances
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in St. Paul, a 38-year-old Minneapolis man pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, and the semisynthetic psychedelic drug MDPV, commonly known as ecstasy. Antoine Kenyetta Poole specifically pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Poole, who was indicted along with Jermaine Aquarius Edison on September 11, 2012, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank. On December 18, 2012, Edison, age 40, also of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
In their plea agreements, the defendants admitted that from February 14 through August 16, 2012, they conspired with others to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine, 28 grams of crack cocaine, and ecstasy. The conspiracy involved sending large amounts of cash to California for the purchase of cocaine. For example, on May 2012, law enforcement seized a package containing $18,000, which Edison was sending to California. In entering their pleas, the defendants also admitted distributing the controlled substances once they were received from their California suppliers.
According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, authorities began investigating Edison in February of 2012 and subsequently made several controlled purchases of cocaine, crack cocaine, and ecstasy.
For their crimes, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Judge Frank will determine their sentences at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen.
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