Cartel-Linked Minnesotan and 14 Others Are Indicted in Mexico-Based Drug Trafficking Operation

by Crime Watch MN

A Minnesota man and over a dozen co-conspirators have been charged with trafficking over 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine and other drugs from Mexico to Minnesota in what U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger described as a “sprawling” Mexican-based drug trafficking organization.

Luger’s comments came during a press conference on Tuesday during which he named Clinton James Ward, 45, as the leader of the organization who has been operating for years.

Ward is a Minnesota native and a longtime drug dealer who fled from the state to Mexico in 2019 where he established connections with the violent Sinaloa and CJNG cartels and began operating his own drug trafficking organization.

Corresponding press releases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated that in January 2019, Ward was arrested in the parking lot of a motel in Vadnais Heights, Minn., with more than eight pounds of methamphetamine. At the time, Ward was selling methamphetamine from his hotel room to various customers. Within weeks of his arrest, Ward fled to Jalisco, Mexico, where he met up with Mexican and American drug traffickers who all had ties to the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels.

From January 2019 until his arrest in March 2024, Ward established and operated his own cartel-sourced Mexican-based drug trafficking organization that distributed thousands of pounds of methamphetamine to Minnesota through a network of drug traffickers. Using an existing cartel pipeline, Ward would transport large drug loads into the United States through various means, including concealing shipments in semi-trailers crossing the border at various locations. The shipments were later broken down into smaller quantities and transported into Minnesota via private vehicles and semi-trailers.

Over the course of the investigation, more than 50 defendants with connections to Ward have been charged with methamphetamine trafficking and other drug trafficking offenses. In total, law enforcement has seized more than 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, 30,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, 45 firearms, and more than $2.5 million in drug proceeds.

On March 11, 2024, Ward was taken into custody by Mexican authorities and returned to the United States to face prosecution.

Luger described that Ward is being charged under a statute referred to as the “kingpin” statute, which carries a minimum 20-year prison sentence if convicted.

The following 15 members and associates of the Ward drug trafficking organization are in custody and have been charged in a federal superseding indictment:

• Clinton James Ward, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Shawnette Lynn Andreasen, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Jonathon Beau Bailey (not pictured), 33, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Vin Chanry, 37, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Perry John Coyle (not pictured), 65, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• James Joseph Graczyk, 51, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Benjamin DeWayne Johnson (not pictured), 40, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Joseph Allen Pappenfus, 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Breezie Lynn Pena, 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Aaron Michael Teadt, 47, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Jimmy Thithavong, 38, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Peter Charles Watkins (not pictured), 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Nicole Marie Williams (not pictured), 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Armondo Robert Montero (not pictured) is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Kevin Philip Del Rios Havenar (not pictured) is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine

“Every year, thousands of Minnesotans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “Today’s indictment disrupts one of the most sophisticated and significant drug trafficking organizations we have prosecuted in my tenure as U.S. Attorney, and I am grateful to the DEA and FBI for their hard work bringing this operation to justice. The Department of Justice would also like to recognize the Mexican authorities for their assistance on this case.”

All defendants made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.

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Photo “Clinton Ward” by Sherburne County Sheriff. Background Photo “Court room” by Brandonrush.