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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 9/12/2014
SUBJECT: 16 Arrests in Operation Icebreaker
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232

NATURE OF INCIDENT: 16 Arrests in Operation Icebreaker
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 9/12/2014
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: Duluth, MN

The Duluth Police Department and Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force conducted a 3 day operation focused on methamphetamine trafficking in the Twin Ports area. Operation Icebreaker resulted in 16 arrests.

The arrests are the result of several narcotics investigations that have been ongoing in region for the past year. Items seized during the arrests included: 47 grams of methamphetamine, $2418 U.S. Currency and 5 firearms. 
We were assisted in the investigations by the following agencies: Superior Police department, Hermantown Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, US Customs and Border Patrol, Immigrations Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.
The following were arrested:
  • Dennis Patrick Cronin,  52 year old male resident of Duluth - Delivery of Methamphetamine - 2 counts
  • Richard Allen Earnshaw, 28 year old male resident of Duluth - Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree - 2 counts; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - 4 counts
  • Sadiki Elfundi, 38 year old male resident of Duluth - Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree; Receiving Stolen Property
  • Danial William Erkkila, 42 year old male resident of Duluth - Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree; Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree - 4 counts; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree
  • Kelly James Michael Jones, 23 year old male resident of Duluth               - Aiding and Abetting Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree
  • Rhonda Renee Jones, 48 year old female resident of Duluth - Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree
  • Wade Emory Kassing, 43 year old male resident of Duluth - Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - 5 counts
  • Cheryl  Catherine Mae Lawson, 29 year old female resident of Duluth - Aiding and Abetting Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree
  • Samantha Ann Mitchell, 27 year old female resident of Duluth                - Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree - 2 counts; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - 4 Counts
  • Mechelle Ann Nelson, 43 year old female resident of Duluth - 2nd Degree Sales; 3rd Degree Possession of Meth; 3rd Degree Sales - 2 Counts; 5th Degree Possession of Meth
  • Michael John Roux, 39 year old male resident of Duluth - Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree
  • Brandi Jo Shaw, 30 year old female resident of Duluth - Sale of a Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree; Sale of a Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - 4 counts; Sale of a Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree in a School, Park or Public Housing Zone - 2 counts
  • Tony Lee Tharaldson, 55 year old male resident of Duluth - Sale of a Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree; Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - 2 counts
  • Reginald Franchot Triplett, 42 year old male resident of Duluth - Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree; Stolen Property
  • Benjamin Harry Kall Jr., 25 year old male resident of Superior, WI - Arrested in Superior, Wisconsin on warrants (No booking photo available)
  • Marlon  Anthony Bowen, 41 year old male resident of Detroit, MI - Sale of Meth - 3rd Degree