St. Paul Felon Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges

MINNEAPOLIS – A South St. Paul felon has been charged in a federal indictment for illegal possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 5, 2022, Nicholas Neil Nikiforakis, 33, was carrying a loaded, unserialized ghost gun while in possession of a distribution amount of fentanyl. Because Nikiforakis has multiple prior felony convictions in Dakota, Hennepin, and Anoka Counties, including domestic assault, first degree drug sales, and vehicle theft, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Nikiforakis with one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on February 15, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. He was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.