Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Duluth Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of Firearms
DULUTH, Minn. – A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against a Duluth felon for methamphetamine trafficking and firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on May 7, 2022, John Robert Rieck, 66, was caught with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a Bersa .380 caliber pistol. Months later, Rieck was found with more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and an unregistered short-barreled shotgun bearing no serial number.
Because Rieck has multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 1975, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Rieck is charged with two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. He made his initial appearance on January 11, 2023, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Duluth Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Roso is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.