On March 1, 2023, officers with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Violent Offender Task Force were conducting a narcotics investigation into NICOLAS ONEAL OAKS, DEFENDANT herein, after receiving information from a confidential reliable informant that DEFENDANT was distributing fentanyl and in possession of a firearm. Officers learned DEFENDANT was staying at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. They conducted surveillance and observed DEFENDANT exit the hotel and enter an Audi vehicle which registers to him.
Officers coordinated with a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper to conduct an interdiction stop. The trooper observed DEFENDANT's Audi had dark tint, had a plate cover, and was speeding. The trooper stopped the vehicle in the area of East 19th Street and Portland Avenue. DEFENDANT was the driver and sole occupant. The trooper observed three phones in the center console and saw a large amount of US currency sticking out of DEFENDANT'S pocket. DEFENDANT provided inconsistent statements about his travel plans.
The trooper asked DEFENDANT for consent to search his vehicle, and DEFENDANT responded "go ahead man". The trooper then had his certified drug detection dog sniff the vehicle. The dog provided a positive alert to the odor of controlled substances while inside the car. DEFENDANT stated he had used cocaine before in the vehicle. The trooper then searched the vehicle and recovered a digital scale in the center console with suspected drug residue on it, hundreds of loose cellphone plastic baggies in the driver's door pocket, and multiple phones in the cup holder.
The trooper then became concerned that controlled substances were on DEFENDANT. The trooper asked DEFENDANT if he would consent to a pat search. DEFENDANT consented. While pat frisking DEFENDANT'S inner thigh area, the trooper detected a hard bulge consistent with contraband. The trooper notified DEFENDANT that he felt something, and DEFENDANT responded "that's my drugs, man." The trooper removed a bag containing a light blue powder of suspected fentanyl from DEFENDANT'S boxers. DEFENDANT was arrested and brought to the Hennepin County Jail for booking.
After going through the X-Ray scanner, a booking deputy flagged an abnormality. During a subsequent search, deputies recovered another bag of suspected fentanyl from DEFENDANT'S groin area. The substances were tested by the BCA and determined to be 92.819 grams and 203.22 grams containing fentanyl. The quantity of drugs, baggies, phones, and cash all indicate intent to sell. DEFENDANT has prior felony drug convictions for 3rd Degree Possession and 5th Degree Possession. This case was not charged in custody, however, it was submitted to HCAO on October 31, 2025 and charged within one week.
