Leader of Fentanyl Trafficking Organization in Duluth Sentenced to 174 Months in Prison

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Defendant Ezell "Cash" Lucas, 34, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 174 months in prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation responsible for transporting mass quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Chicago to Minnesota for sale to drug users in Duluth, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. Lucas was the last of seven defendants in the case convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances to be sentenced.

[ROSEN QUOTE: "This conviction closes the book on a dangerous fentanyl trafficking ring that pumped poison into northern Minnesota from Chicago," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. "Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across our state, and this case is a powerful reminder: we will not let drug traffickers exploit our cities or our rural communities. We are grateful to the federal, state, and local partners whose tireless work dismantled this network and helped protect Minnesotans from this lethal epidemic."]

From December 2021 to February 2024, Lucas managed a large-scale drug distribution operation (the "Lucas DTO") based in Chicago that targeted drug customers in the Twin Ports region. Lucas worked with local drug distributors in Duluth to traffic fentanyl from Chicago and establish a customer base in Duluth. Lucas then directed criminal associates from Chicago to travel to Duluth and conduct the organization's operations on the ground. Lucas, sitting in Chicago, fielded calls from drug customers and directed those customers to pre-determined locations in Duluth to meet Lucas's drug dealers and complete the sales. During a two-year period, law enforcement seized more than 890 grams of fentanyl and 262 grams of methamphetamine from the Lucas DTO over the course of 19 seizure events, including controlled buys, traffic stops, residence search warrants, and a seizure incident to an overdose death.

In February 2024, a federal grand jury indicted multiple defendants, including Lucas, with engaging in a Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. This week, U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud sentenced Lucas to 174 months in prison for his role in the offense.

In August 2025, Lucas's co-defendant Carl Brown, 32, of Chicago, proceeded to trial on the charged offense. Brown was convicted by a federal jury following a three-day trial. He was later sentenced to 120 months' imprisonment for his role in the offense.

Lucas's remaining six co-defendants pled guilty and were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment:

• Anthony Green, 36, of Chicago, Illinois: 120 months
• Matthew Erickson, a/k/a "EZ," 37, of Duluth, Minnesota: 60 months
• Robert Chism, 37, of Chicago, Illinois: 48 months
• Deandre Westmoreland, 37, of Chicago, Illinois: 32 months
• Pharoo Withersoon, 37, of Chicago, Illinois: 18 months

"This case sends a clear message: individuals who profit from distributing illegal substances in our community will be identified and prosecuted," said Lt. Jason Tanski of the Duluth Police Department and Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force ("LSVOTF"). "For over a year, during a critical period of the opioid crisis, LSVOTF conducted a comprehensive investigation into the Lucas Drug Trafficking Organization. This investigation included extensive undercover operations by LSVOTF Investigators to identify those individuals involved in the organization. Numerous residences throughout Duluth were used by Lucas and his organization to distribute fentanyl to the community, preying on our community and advancing their illegal operation.

"The sentencing of this prolific drug dealer has a direct and positive impact on public safety by removing a significant source of supply and helping protect lives. The LSVOTF would like to credit the cooperation and assistance of our state and federal partners that helped bring this case to a successful resolution."

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Duluth Police Department, LSVOTF, the Saint Louis County Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and Syngen Kanassatega prosecuted the case.