Derrick Thompson found guilty by federal jury on fentanyl and firearms charges

On By Yukito

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A federal jury found Derrick Thompson guilty of multiple fentanyl and firearms charges in connection with a fatal crash in Minneapolis that killed five young women.

What we know

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that Thompson, 29, was guilty of possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 16, 2023, when five young women were killed in a crash in Minneapolis.

Thompson is accused of fleeing law enforcement at a reckless speed of 95 mph in a 55 mph zone, then running a red light and crashing into a car carrying young women in Minneapolis. Five women did not survive the disaster.

Evidence presented at the hearing

Evidence presented at trial includes what law enforcement discovered during a search of the vehicle Thompson was allegedly driving at the time of the crash.

At the scene, authorities found records showing Thompson was driving a rental car in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport just 30 minutes before the incident. Court records show that while executing a search warrant in the rental car, authorities found the following items:

  • A loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine

  • Three bags containing over 2,000 fentanyl tablets “M-BOX 30”

  • Bag containing an additional 14 grams of powdered fentanyl

  • A bag containing 13 MDMA tablets

  • A bag containing 35 grams of cocaine

  • Digital scale

Thompson’s phone was also examined during the investigation, which authorities said contained dozens of text messages related to fentanyl transactions, according to the Justice Department.

What’s next?

Thompson, in Hennepin County, still faces charges related to the crash, including multiple counts of vehicular manslaughter and third-degree murder. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 4, 2024.

Thompson remains in custody and a sentencing date on the federal charges will be set at a later date.