Man Charged in Dakota County with Major Drug Sales Across Two Counties, Facing Mandatory Prison Time
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA – A 20-year-old man is facing serious felony drug charges after authorities say he sold large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl to an undercover officer during multiple controlled purchases in February across Hennepin and Dakota counties.
Juan Lopez Jimenez, also known by the alias Jose Armando Apolinar Saldana, was formally charged in Dakota County District Court with two counts of Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree, each tied to the sale of more than 100 grams or 500 dosage units of illegal drugs—thresholds that trigger some of the state's most serious drug penalties.
According to the criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, the Dakota County Drug Task Force (DCDTF) conducted three separate undercover drug buys from Jimenez between February 13 and February 26, 2025. The undercover officer, working with the task force, allegedly purchased drugs from Jimenez in both Minneapolis and West Saint Paul during the operation.
February 13: Jimenez allegedly sold nearly 30 grams of methamphetamine and 28 grams of fentanyl to an undercover officer near the 4100 block of West Lake Harriet Parkway in Minneapolis.
February 19: A second buy reportedly took place on the 4300 block of 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis, where Jimenez is said to have sold 223 grams of meth and 28.5 grams of fentanyl.
February 26: A final controlled purchase occurred in West Saint Paul on the 1700 block of South Robert Street, involving 55.5 grams of fentanyl.
In total, agents report seizing approximately 252.77 grams of methamphetamine and 112.08 grams of fentanyl from Jimenez throughout the investigation according to the criminal complaint.
Jimenez was arrested in Stearns County on March 6, 202,5 and transported to Dakota County Jail, where he remains in custody. According to court documents, jail staff reported that the defendant initially provided a false identity, claiming to be “Jose Armando Apolinar Saldana,” born in 2002, but was later confirmed as Juan Lopez Jimenez, born in 2004. According to court documents, because the drug transactions occurred across multiple counties within a 90-day period, Minnesota law allows for all charges to be prosecuted in a single county—Dakota County, in this case.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1 million. However, court documents from prosecutors have emphasized that Jimenez faces a mandatory prison term of at least 65 months on either count due to the volume of controlled substances involved.
The court has set bail at $150,000 without conditions or $100,000 with several conditions, including a ban on leaving Minnesota without the court's approval, no possession of weapons or drugs, mandatory random drug testing, and strict reporting requirements. Court documents show that Assistant Dakota County Attorney Christopher Zielinski argued for significant bail, citing the danger fentanyl poses to the community, the scale of the drug operation, and the mandatory prison time Jimenez is likely to face if convicted.
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Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
This article provides an overview of the allegations against Jimenez, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
Written by: Will Wight
