Cha Merrial Cashmonai Sims

On 7/15/2025, after extensive narcotics and firearm investigation of IRVING VAN MARSAW JR [DOB REDACTED], Defendant Marshaw herein, investigators with West Hennepin Drug Task Force obtained and executed search warrants for Defendant Marshaw, his apartment located on [ADDRESS REDACTED]., Apt 316 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, and his vehicle. After knocking, announcing their presence, and while waiting for a response, surveillance officers observed Defendant Marshaw attempting to flee out the balcony.

Officers made entry into the apartment and observed Defendant Marshaw bent over with his right arm out of the officers’ view behind the kitchen counter. He was near the balcony door. Defendant Marshaw immediately ran towards the officers and partially laid down and ignored the officers’ order to get all the way down on the floor. Down the hall towards the living room, officers located an adult female identified as CHA MERRIAL CASHAMONAI SIMS [DOB REDACTED], Defendant Sims, herein, step out of the bedroom.

As Defendant Sims laid down, she turned her head and looked directly towards the area Defendant Marshaw previously had his right arm obstructed from the officers’ view. Officers located a pistol on the floor area that Defendant Marshaw had his right arm and Defendant Sims looked. The pistol was a Glock 23.40 caliber handgun with upper receiver serial #EAW265 and a polymer lower receiver with no serial number. A loaded magazine and round in chamber were removed from the handgun. Officers recovered the following in the apartment: - $11,370 US currency in men’s clothing in the bedroom closet, - 26.59 grams FTP fentanyl in the kitchen drawer, - 23.48 grams of an unknow substance in the same kitchen drawer as the fentanyl, - 8 grams of FTP bag of cocaine found in top drawer to the right of the oven, - Digital scale, and mailer for Defendant Marshaw found in top drawer to the right of the oven, - A metal press was found in the kitchen cabinet on the right side next to the microwave.

Both Defendants provided a buccal sample of their DNA. In post Miranda statement, Defendant Sims was asked about the cash found but was not told where it was found and she stated that it was found in the closet on the left side in a shoebox. She stated there was about 5-6 thousand dollars. In post Miranda statement, Defendant Marshaw was asked about the handgun found on the floor and he stated that he smoked so much weed the night before that he did not know that it was on the floor. Officers took a swab from the firearm and sent it to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for comparison with Defendants DNA samples.

BCA result showed that major male DNA profile matched Defendant Marshaw. The DNA mixture was also evaluated to determine if Defendant Sims could be a contributor and the statistical calculation supported the inclusion of Defendant Sims to the DNA mixture. Defendant Marshaw was convicted of felony possession of a firearm after conviction for crime of violence in 27-CR-17-27579 on 8/27/2018. Defendant Sims was convicted felony possession of a firearm after conviction for a crime of violence in 27- CR-23-7405 on 4/3/2024 and felony assault 2 with a dangerous weapon in 27-CR-17-20281 on 5/18/2018. Due to the facts alleged here and for public safety, the State respectfully requests warrants to issue.