Overview

• A federal jury on Sept. 24 found the 48-year-old guilty of attempted possession with intent to distribute meth and of being a felon in possession of a firearm, with sentencing to be scheduled and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
• Three parcels shipped from San Diego to fictitious recipients in Winona drew a K-9 alert at a Rochester FedEx facility, prompting warrants that uncovered narcotics concealed in stuffed animals.
• Investigators removed most of the drugs, installed sensors and trackers, and carried out a controlled delivery, after which Shade retrieved the packages and opened them.
• A search of Shade’s residence recovered the third package along with a loaded .357 Magnum revolver, a digital scale, small baggies, a suspected drug ledger, and more than 400 rounds of ammunition.
• Prosecutors said Shade confessed to buying meth in California, hiding it in toys, shipping it under false names, and admitting possession of the firearm, following an HSI-led investigation with local agencies.