It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Landmark Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in St Paul, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harriet Island Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Meritage or visit Burbank Livingston Griggs Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in St Paul, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in St Paul, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in St Paul, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The 36-year-old and two others did not return from their ascent of the Peruvian peak as scheduled on June 1.A veteran high-altitude mountaineer and accomplished photographer who recently moved from St. Paul is missing with other adventurers while on one of the world’s most recognizable peaks.Edson Vandeira, 36, and two fellow climbers set out on May 29 to reach the top of Artesonraju Mountain in Peru and did not return as scheduled on June 1, said his former wife, Natalia Koch.“In the early hours of the rescu...
The 36-year-old and two others did not return from their ascent of the Peruvian peak as scheduled on June 1.
A veteran high-altitude mountaineer and accomplished photographer who recently moved from St. Paul is missing with other adventurers while on one of the world’s most recognizable peaks.
Edson Vandeira, 36, and two fellow climbers set out on May 29 to reach the top of Artesonraju Mountain in Peru and did not return as scheduled on June 1, said his former wife, Natalia Koch.
“In the early hours of the rescue [effort], the team’s tent was found empty,” Koch wrote as part of an online fundraising campaign started to help finance the search. “There are signs that the group had reached the summit and that something serious had possibly happened during the descent.”
Koch, a University of Minnesota environmental researcher, said she is getting updates from the search team and from Vandeira’s family members.
She said the effort includes dozens of volunteers on the ground as well as helicopters and drones, but “high mountain rescue is extremely complex, demanding intense logistics, specific equipment, food, high-altitude travel and a lot of human and technical commitment.”
Artesonraju, in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in the Peruvian Andes, tops out at nearly 20,000 feet and is admired for its near-perfect pyramid shape. Artesonraju is known as one of the inspirations for the Paramount Pictures logo.
Vandeira, a native of Brazil who lived in St. Paul with Koch from late 2020 until their divorce near the end of 2024, was making the climb as part of his training toward receiving full certification as a high-mountain guide, she said.
Koch said Vandeira has 17 years of mountain climbing experience and is in excellent physical condition. He has biked in the Patagonia region of South America and participated in nine expeditions to Antarctica, working there for about three months each year overseeing the safety of scientists in the field and managing camp logistics.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Three longtime child care centers in St. Paul have closed recently, and two more will shutter soon, which has leaders hosting an emergency roundtable on Thursday.Facilities Sandcastle Early Learning Center, Hallie Q. Brown and St. Catherine Early Childhood Center closed within the last year had been open for more than 150 years combined. Children’s Country Day School and Children’s Center Montessori will close before the end of summer.The news is putting providers and families in limbo, but ex...
ST PAUL, Minn. — Three longtime child care centers in St. Paul have closed recently, and two more will shutter soon, which has leaders hosting an emergency roundtable on Thursday.
Facilities Sandcastle Early Learning Center, Hallie Q. Brown and St. Catherine Early Childhood Center closed within the last year had been open for more than 150 years combined. Children’s Country Day School and Children’s Center Montessori will close before the end of summer.
The news is putting providers and families in limbo, but experts say the industry is already in crisis.
"It requires long hours, a lot of work, with little pay," said Celeste Finn, who opened Big Wonder Child Care nearly two years ago.
Fifty students are enrolled in the space she rents from a St. Paul church. The church also helps pay for some overhead costs like janitorial needs and Wi-Fi, but Finn still struggles.
"We're $350 a week for preschool; we are not making any profit," said Finn. "Teachers could find the same or more pay at Home Depot or McDonald's, or Starbucks, and were also opting to move out of the industry."
Food and insurance prices keep rising and so, too, does competition with school-based programs. It's all signs of stress leading to many closures, including one where preschool teacher Ciara Schweitzer worked.
"It's hard, it's really hard," said Schweitzer who was employed at Children's Country Day School for five years. It had been open for 50 years.
"We're helping the working generation and we're helping our tiny people and that was my immediate thought too, was what are all these families going to do," said Schweitzer.
Schweitzer now has a new job at Big Wonder and says she feels really lucky in a business that has a much more uncertain outlook.
"When everything is so tight and tenuous, it's easy to fail," said Finn.
Most providers say that they couldn't stay open without some kind of financial assistance.
Big Wonder receives one $1,500 grant every month to give its teachers a $2 raise.
From her stockpile of retro treasures at St. Paul vintage haven Shop Country Club to her eclectic Fall/Winter vintage collection shown at Paris Fashion Week last fall, Amanda Morell has long believed in the innate romanticism of “something borrowed.”“Vintage and upcycled pieces…they just carry so much more depth and add a touch of hand to everything,” Morell shares.Now, this love affai...
From her stockpile of retro treasures at St. Paul vintage haven Shop Country Club to her eclectic Fall/Winter vintage collection shown at Paris Fashion Week last fall, Amanda Morell has long believed in the innate romanticism of “something borrowed.”
“Vintage and upcycled pieces…they just carry so much more depth and add a touch of hand to everything,” Morell shares.
Now, this love affair with vintage charm is leading Morell into the ivory-tinted realms of a previously unexplored industry—weddings. In partnership with her friend Eva Johnson, owner of retro-themed vacation rental Grandpa’s Pool House, Morell is set to open her first vintage bridal concept, Fashion Club, on June 6 in North St. Paul. The shop will share space with Johnson’s long-envisioned Vegas-style wedding chapel—appropriately named The Garter Toss—an intimate, “post-modern glamour meets dive bar aesthetic” space for wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, and wedding/engagement shoots.
The Fashion Club will carry a mix of both vintage and upcycled bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, lingerie, accessories, and formalwear, employing a focus on affordable and casual wedding wear that offers a unique alternative for Twin Cities brides.
“We’re taking bridal and injecting fashion into it, or, as I say, ‘Doing it in a different way,’” shares Morell. “Maybe its wearing your wedding dress with a baseball cap or wearing the top of a wedding dress with a pair of jeans for an event leading up to your wedding. Just experimenting with different ideas and pioneering a new way to think about bridal.”
It is no secret that incorporating vintage or secondhand elements into a bridal ensemble (“something old” and “something borrowed”) has long been associated with good luck in marriage. But it is only recently that vintage bridal gowns have skyrocketed in popularity. Global fashion shopping platform Lyst reported a 297% spike in searches for the term “vintage wedding dress” after Princess Beatrice walked down the aisle in a secondhand Norman Hartnell gown in 2020. Since then, the trend has steadily grown, boosted by the support of mega-popular shops like Happy Isles in New York City and vintage reseller platforms like The RealReal, which reported a month-over-month rise in searches for “vintage white dress” in 2024.
But apart from Andrea’s Vintage Bridal in Linden Hills, there are few brick-and-mortar vintage bridal experiences in the Twin Cities—a perceived “void or opportunity” that Morell couldn’t wait to jump on.
“It gets me really excited, because I like to be the ‘first’ to do something or, if not the first, at least someone to help people start thinking about things a little bit differently. That’s what has kept me really motivated—giving people a different experience.”
Shoppers familiar with Morell’s West Seventh Shop Country Club can expect to enjoy a similar fashion-forward, Parisian street-style edge from her bridal offerings, in addition to one-of-a-kind upcycled creations by three independent designers. Morell describes the set-up as a “co-op” of sorts, granting additional creatives a chance to sell their work and gain 27/7 access to the space for photo shoots and personal brand development.
“It’s like an antique mall kind of idea. I’m so excited about it. And the more drop-offs the three designers bring me, the more excited I get,” says Morell. “We don’t have just vintage veils; we have vintage veils that artists have put their unique spin on. It’s so cool.”
Among the designers/sellers joining Fashion Club will be Twin Cities-based Jenny Carle Designs and Moon Gold Goods, who have both collaborated with Morrell on past runway and market experiences, and Wisconsin-based Lizzy Averbeck Styles, who has been involved in several local runway productions.
“Wearing vintage on your wedding day is not only good for the environment but good for your wallet, and makes a bold statement on your special day,” says Averbeck. “I think this shop is going to bring bridal to a whole new level.”
Fashion Club’s grand opening on June 6 will coincide with the first History Cruze Car Show of the summer season, a beloved 29-year-old tradition in North St. Paul. Shoppers can view the parade of over 700 classic cars outside the shop’s front door as they enjoy exclusive chapel tours, romantic photo ops, swag bags, drinks, and DJ tunes. Stop by any time from 5-9 p.m. to welcome this exciting new addition to the Twin Cities bridal landscape— 2543 7th Avenue East, North St. Paul
The Minnesota Zoo unveiled a brand-new, thoughtfully designed exhibit inspired by the woodsy, mossy lands of the eastern Himalayas. The Red Panda Forest, which officially opened for guests on May 31, now houses two red pandas, two western tufted deer, and two red-crowned cranes.“We created it in about a year,” says Annie Rivas, the Minnesota Zoo’s director of animal health. “Red pandas really bring out the passion in people.”...
The Minnesota Zoo unveiled a brand-new, thoughtfully designed exhibit inspired by the woodsy, mossy lands of the eastern Himalayas. The Red Panda Forest, which officially opened for guests on May 31, now houses two red pandas, two western tufted deer, and two red-crowned cranes.
“We created it in about a year,” says Annie Rivas, the Minnesota Zoo’s director of animal health. “Red pandas really bring out the passion in people.”
The zoo hasn’t had any red pandas since 2021, when the last of its former group, a 10-year-old named Min, died. And the team knew they wanted to bring the species back—but in a better area for the cooler-climate-loving animals, which previously lived in the Tropics Trail.
“That was a tough space for them because it was warm and red pandas love to experience the winters,” Rivas says. “We’re really excited that they now get to go outside and have the winters, like they would in their own habitat around the Himalayas. They really like snow.”
Rivas and her team were closely involved in the exhibit design to ensure the Red Panda Forest is as strong as it could be for panda siblings Cedar and Spruce, a pair of crane sisters, and deer Douglas and Gertrude. That includes making sure there aren’t any poisonous plants hiding anywhere, that some plants (like bamboo) could be a food source for the animals, that cooling mists and air flow would make the area comfortable during hot summers, and that the area is “escape-proof,” according to Rivas. “Pandas are notorious climbers,” she says.
The team also wanted the forest to look as much like a Himalayan forest as it could, down to (safely) dyeing the moss inside the exact shade it would be in the wilderness.
And now that the animals have gone through routine disease screenings, parasite testing, vaccinations, and quarantine periods to prepare them for their new home, they’re officially ready for their close-ups. Find the pandas, cranes, and deer on the Northern Trail, former home to the zoo’s dhole, near the moose and Llama Trek. Not ready to say goodbye? Grab a little stuffed red panda in the gift shop, or snag a red panda-themed menu item, including red velvet T-Rex cookies, a fruit punch-flavored Red Panda Punch from Northern Soda, or a Red Panda Ale by South X Southeast Brewery.
Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, 952-431-9200, mnzoo.org
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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- Another person has been sentenced in a Minnesota drug smuggling conspiracy involving stuffed animals.The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota announced the sentencing on Tuesday. A federal judge sent...
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- Another person has been sentenced in a Minnesota drug smuggling conspiracy involving stuffed animals.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota announced the sentencing on Tuesday. A federal judge sentenced the St. Paul man last week.
Authorities busted the massive drug smuggling operation in late 2023 after becoming aware of it earlier that year.
31-year-old Quijuan Hosea Bankhead previously pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy that involved trafficking fentanyl by hiding it inside of stuffed animals.
Federal court documents say Bankhead and the other defendants in the case would travel to Phoenix, AZ to obtain the fentanyl.
They would hide the highly-addictive opioid in stuffed animals then ship the animals back to the Twin Cities area from August of 2022 through December of 2023.
Local and federal authorities put an end to the conspiracy when they seized a shipment containing 66 pounds of fentanyl, court documents say.
Bankhead has been sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
“Bankhead and his network smuggled deadly fentanyl into Minnesota and had the gall to hide this poison inside of children’s toys—stuffed animals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Last year, Cornell Montez Chandler Jr. was sentenced to more than 13 years for his role in the drug trafficking operation and Da'Shawn Natori Domena pleaded guilty in the case.
At least nine people were charged in the drug smuggling scheme.
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