St. Paul Man Sentenced to 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Operation Responsible for Over 210 Pounds of Methamphetamine

MINNEAPOLIS - United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Christopher Charles Traxler, 32, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation responsible for procuring mass quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine for further distribution. Traxler is one of three defendants in U.S. v. Cryer et al. (24-cr-206).

According to court documents, on June 3, 2024, Traxler and a co-defendant, Amir McKeever, 33, received a bulk shipment of controlled substances-seven boxes that collectively contained over 200 pounds of methamphetamine and 26 pounds of cocaine. Traxler and McKeever transported the methamphetamine and cocaine to a St. Paul apartment Traxler maintained as a stash location. The following day, McKeever transferred four of the seven boxes, which contained approximately 140 pounds of the methamphetamine, to another co-defendant, Jumoke Cryer.

On June 5, 2024, law enforcement executed search warrants at Traxler's St. Paul apartment and at a townhome in Woodbury, Minnesota. Inside McKeever's Woodbury townhome, law enforcement found McKeever as well as drug packaging material, an electronic money counter, an electric heat sealer, over $110,000 in cash, and eight firearms with associated ammunition. Officers also found over 85 grams of cocaine and approximately 14 grams of marijuana at the townhome.

At Traxler's St. Paul apartment, officers found the remaining three boxes that Traxler and McKeever received two days prior. The boxes contained a substantial quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine. Officers found additional amounts of methamphetamine and two firearms, including a Glock .40 handgun and a black AR-style rifle. In total, officers seized 76 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 pounds of cocaine, and nearly $25,000 from Traxler's apartment.

"The quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine this defendant and his associates trafficked was staggering. My office will continue to partner with law enforcement to dismantle drug operations and protect the lives of Minnesotans," said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.

"This case highlights the importance of the work being done by our Non-Fatal Shooting Unit. This team thoroughly investigates all assault cases where individuals are struck by a bullet but do not die within Saint Paul. Dedicating resources to every shooting has not only shown that it dramatically decreases the number of homicides, but as highlighted in this case, can also prevent other public safety threats. We want to thank our local, state, and federal partners in this case for their work to shut down this large-scale narcotics operation," said St. Paul Police Department Commander of the Non-Fatal Shooting Unit Nikkole Peterson.

"Preventing several hundred pounds of narcotics destined for Minnesota from reaching our communities, along with thousands of dollars in cash and firearms, no doubt saved lives," said Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. "This case highlights the important work of BCA agents, our law enforcement partners and what can be accomplished when we work together to investigate cases, seize dangerous drugs and firearms, and hold offenders accountable."

"Drugs, illegal guns and the lengths some people will go to for dirty money pose a serious threat to our communities. The massive amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine involved in this case, along with illegal firearms, show the danger HSI and our law enforcement partners face every day," said HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. "I am thankful for the hard work of HSI special agents, analysts, prosecutors, and our law enforcement partners to obtain this sentencing and disrupt this drug trafficking operation. HSI will keep working to hold accountable those who bring dangerous drugs and violence into our communities."

"The FBI brought critical investigative tools and resources to this case, supporting our partners in confronting a sophisticated criminal organization," said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. "We remain committed to working side-by-side with federal, state, and local agencies to hold those who traffic in violence and illegal narcotics accountable and safeguard communities across the Twin Cities."

"The firearms recovered in this case reinforce what we see all too often: drug traffickers rely on guns to protect their operations and profits," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joseph Persails, of the St. Paul Field Division. "ATF is committed to disrupting criminal networks that use firearms to protect and expand their narcotics trade. This case demonstrates how strong partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies help safeguard our neighborhoods and hold violent drug traffickers accountable."

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant United States Attorneys Raphael B. Coburn and Garrett S. Fields prosecuted the case.

Note: Previous press release on the defendant's co-defendant jury verdict linked here.