Minnesota State Wire

Late yesterday, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted Damien Duwjan Shade, 48, on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

“Stuffed animals are symbols of childhood, not vessels for poison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Turning a child’s toy into a cover for lethal drugs shows the lengths drug traffickers will go to peddle their poison. This verdict ensures there will be consequences.”

Evidence presented during the two-day trial showed that in March 2023, Rochester Police responded to the FedEx facility at the Rochester Airport after learning about three suspicious packages sent from San Diego, California, to two addresses in Winona, Minnesota. The sender was listed as “Trayvon Strange,” and the packages were addressed to individuals who did not live at those locations.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Rochester Police used a drug-detecting K9 which alerted officers to drugs inside the packages. After obtaining search warrants, law enforcement found six pounds of methamphetamine concealed within stuffed animals.

The following day, officers placed sensors and tracking devices inside the packages and replaced most of the methamphetamine with filler materials such as rock salt before conducting a controlled delivery to the listed addresses. The mother of Shade’s children retrieved the packages; Shade later arrived at her home to collect them, believing they still contained methamphetamine.

After searching the scene, law enforcement found that Shade had opened the delivered packages and discovered both some remaining methamphetamine and cut-open stuffed animals. During questioning, Shade admitted traveling to California to purchase several pounds of methamphetamine and shipping it back using fake names. He confessed to hiding drugs inside stuffed animals and acknowledged possessing a gun at his apartment despite being prohibited from doing so due to his status as a felon.

A search warrant executed at Shade’s residence led authorities to recover an unopened package containing repackaged stuffed animals filled with filler material instead of methamphetamine. Officers also found a loaded .357 Magnum revolver in a dresser drawer, along with items associated with drug distribution such as digital scales, small Ziplock baggies in an unlocked safe, what appeared to be a drug ledger, over 400 rounds of ammunition, and a spent casing.

Shade had previously been convicted in 2013 for being a felon in possession of a firearm in San Diego.

On September 24, 2025, he was convicted on both counts before District Judge Michael J. Davis. Sentencing will occur at a later date; he faces up to life imprisonment.

The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, Rochester Police Department, Winona County Sheriff’s Office, Winona Police Department, and members of the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team (SEMVCET). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren O. Roso and Syngen Kanassatega prosecuted the case.