In late December 2025, a Cooperating Arrested Individual ("CAI") informed St. Paul Police that they regularly purchased fentanyl from Lavonne Eugene BURGIN ([DOB REDACTED]) at his residence (1002 5th St E in St. Paul, Ramsey County). The CAI provided police BURGIN’s cellphone number and provided them text messages between him and BURGIN discussing the sale and purchase of fentanyl. The CAI also said that BURGIN sold illegal drugs other than fentanyl, that BURGIN possessed firearms, and that the CAI had seen BURGIN with firearms.
Due to BURGIN’s felony conviction history, he is ineligible to possess firearms and/or ammunition. During the ensuing investigation, police also spoke to two separate unrelated Confidential Informants who confirmed BURGIN’s address, said BURGIN sold fentanyl, and said BURGIN possessed Firearms. Pursuant to a search warrant, police obtained location information for BURGIN’s cell phone and placed him under surveillance. On multiple occasions BURGIN was seen where his phone was “pinging,” was seen at his residence, and was seen staying overnight at his residence.
After using a CI to conduct a controlled purchase of fentanyl from BURGIN at his residence, on 3/4/26, police obtained a search warrant for the address. On 3/5/26 police had BURGIN under surveillance. BURGIN was known to have active warrants and was arrested as he walked near Hope St and 7th St in St, Paul, Ramsey County. In a post-Miranda statement, BURGIN denied selling fentanyl and said he buys fentanyl from people on the streets. BURGIN then claimed he had ingested fentanyl and was transported to Regions Hospital.
After BURGIN was in custody, SPPD SWAT executed the search warrant at his residence. During the search, police found 1).40 cal bullets in the dining room, 2) a 9mm magazine on top of the fridge, 3) a loaded magazine and loose ammo in the dining room, 4) loose suspected methamphetamine on the kitchen table, 5) an unknown yellow substance on a spoon on the kitchen table, 6) 4 9mm bullets in the living room, 7) a box of.32 auto ammo in the living room, 8) an ibuprofen bottle of containing white powder in the dining room, 9) 20 gauge shotgun shells in the dining room, and 10) 2 boxes of.50 cal ammunition in the rear entryway.
The ammunition and methamphetamine were all found within proximity of mail and documents belonging to BURGIN. Police also found drug paraphernalia and scales strewn about the dining room. The loose suspected methamphetamine later field-tested positive for Methamphetamine with a net weight of.25 grams and the yellow substance on a spoon later field-tested positive for Methamphetamine with a net weight of 1.48 grams. BURGIN has at least 5 prior felony convictions, including at least the following: Domestic Abuse Violate OFP; ••-CR-••-•••• Domestic Abuse Violate OFP; ••-CR-••-•••• 4th Degree Assault; ••-CR-••-•••• Threats of Violence; ••-CR-••-•••• 5th Degree Drugs; 62-K5-07-004133 For purposes of Rule 6.
