Two Charged in Red Lake Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two Bemidji individuals have been indicted for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in and around the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, between October 2023 and November 2023, Derek Jon Paddy, 28, and Robyn Lea Lussier, 20, conspired to distribute fentanyl throughout the state of Minnesota. On November 2, 2023, Paddy and Lussier were found in possession of over 40 grams of fentanyl.

Paddy and Lussier made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty on August 2, 2024. They are both 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 FBI and the Red Lake Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.