Minnesota State Wire

William Wayne Ray Schubel, 33, has been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as illegally possessing multiple firearms. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

“A four-time felon who chose to poison our communities is now going to federal prison for more than a decade,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Methamphetamine is one of the deadliest forces eating away at Minnesota’s neighborhoods. We will keep putting major dealers behind bars until our communities are free from this poison.”

Law enforcement identified Schubel as a high-volume dealer of methamphetamine. A confidential informant reported seeing him with five pounds of methamphetamine packaged in one-pound vacuum-sealed bags and overheard him discussing receiving fifty pounds of the drug.

On January 10, 2024, authorities executed search warrants at two residences connected to Schubel: a home in Oak Grove, Minnesota, and an apartment in Anoka, Minnesota. At the Oak Grove location, officers found 746 grams of methamphetamine and 220 grams of cocaine inside a backpack that also contained a digital scale. They also discovered twelve firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories at the residence. Among these items was a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine found under Schubel’s pillow; DNA evidence linked the weapon to him.

At Schubel’s Anoka apartment, law enforcement recovered an additional five grams of methamphetamine, a firearm cleaning kit, and several rolls of vacuum seal bags.

Schubel was arrested on the same day while in his car. He had $2,378 in cash and a cellphone on his person. Upon searching his phone, agents found messages related to drug trafficking activities. These included sending coded drug “menus” to customers offering various controlled substances for sale in different quantities.

Agents also uncovered messages where Schubel discussed selling drugs and acknowledged the risks involved. In one message he stated he would delete his messenger app because “the Feds can find it and look at that shit.”

Schubel has four prior felony convictions—one for domestic assault by strangulation and three for drug distribution or possession—which make it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition.

The sentencing took place before District Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court.

The investigation was conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael B. Coburn prosecuted the case.