On February 24, 2025, Moorhead Police Narcotics detectives were in touch with a Confidential Informant (CI), who advised they were communicating with a woman known to the CI as "Shyla Lopes". The CI had arranged to purchase seven grams of methamphetamine for $240. The CI was communicating with the woman via Facebook Messenger. Detectives reviewed the Facebook account, which listed the individual as "Shyla Kaiawe-lopes." After reviewing the account and photos on the account, law enforcement identified the woman the CI was communicating with as Shyla Kuulei-Kapona Kaiawe-Lopes [DOB REDACTED](hereinafter "Defendant"). On February 24, 2025, law enforcement met with the CI at a predetermined location.
Detectives searched the CI's person and vehicle, finding no contraband. Some personal currency was found during the search, which law enforcement kept possession of during the pendency of the controlled purchase. Law enforcement provided the CI with $240 in police buy funds and provided the CI with an audio/video recording and transmitting device. The CI then traveled to the Taco Bell restaurant in Moorhead, after which the Defendant arrived and entered the passenger seat of the CI's vehicle. The Defendant directed the CI to travel to 1019 9th Avenue South in the City of Moorhead, County of Clay, State of Minnesota.
The CI and Defendant arrive at the address and the CI exited the vehicle and entered the residence. After about four minutes, the Defendant left the residence and entered the passenger seat of the CI's motor vehicle. The Defendant then directed the CI to travel to the McDonald's restaurant located at 220 8th Street South in the City of Moorhead, County of Clay, State of Minnesota. The Defendant then exited the CI's vehicle. The CI then met with law enforcement at a predetermined location. Upon meeting with law enforcement, the CI provided detectives with a clear plastic bag containing a white crystal like substance.
The CI stated that upon traveling to the residence on 9th Avenue South, the CI provided the Defendant with the $240 in police buy funds and the Defendant entered the residence. The Defendant then exited the residence and provided the CI with the plastic bag containing a white crystal like substance. The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 6.63 grams. On March 19, 2025, the CI purchased another 14 grams of methamphetamine from the Defendant in a purchase controlled by law enforcement.
The purchase occurred in the City of Fargo, County of Cass, State of North Dakota. A search of the Defendant's criminal history shows seven previous convictions for possession of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, and one previous conviction for delivery of methamphetamine.
