Minnesota Woman Who Brought Young Child to Drug Deal Convicted

Minneapolis, MN (MinnesotaNow) - A federal jury in Minnesota has convicted a woman who had her 6-year-old child with her when she was arrested in a major drug bust two years ago.

Convicted of Several Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

The Office of the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota says the jury found Karon McKinney guilty of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The guilty verdict was handed down following a two-day trial earlier this month.

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Among 3 People Charged in Case

The 38-year-old New Hope woman was among three people indicted by a federal grand jury in April of last year. According to federal prosecutors, McKinney was involved in a drug trafficking network that was infiltrated by an undercover officer.

Large Amounts of Fentanyl Sold to Undercover Officer

Court documents say McKinney was accused of participating in multiple narcotics distribution trips and helping with the sale of more than 180 grams of powdered fentanyl, nearly 500 fentanyl pills, and approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine in June and July 2024. In one instance, McKinney was accused of driving the ringleader of the drug trafficking operation to a location in greater Minnesota, where the undercover officer purchased significant quantities of powdered fentanyl, fentanyl pills, and methamphetamine from them.

phhoto of undercover officerr holding drugs after purchase (credit: US Attorney for Minnesota)

Brought Young With Her

McKinney and the alleged ringleader of the operation were arrested shortly after the transaction. Federal prosecutors say her 6-year-old son was found in the back seat of the vehicle, and a loaded Glock pistol registered to McKinney was found in the center console of the vehicle.

She now faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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The two other men indicted in the case, La'Veal Allen and Marquise Walker, earlier entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and are also awaiting sentencing.