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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 7/21/2026
SUBJECT: LSVOTF Conducts Detail
BY: Mattie Hjelseth, Duluth Police Department Public Information Officer

NATURE OF INCIDENT:
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE:
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LSVOTF Conducts Detail

On Monday, July 20, and Tuesday, July 21, members of the Duluth Police Department, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force (LSVOTF), St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a detail that was focused on addressing community safety concerns in the 200 block of East 1st Street. During the operation, there were a total of 17 arrests, and 34.55 grams of fentanyl and 5.3 grams of meth seized. The following individuals were arrested for the pending charges:

  • 36-year-old Kevin Novitsky
    • Felony Violation of Probation Warrant
  • 33-year-old David Lagrew
    • Misdemeanor Theft Warrant and Misdemeanor Trespass Warrant  
  • 28-year-old Anisah Slinker
    • Felony Warrant  – Hold for Other Agency
  • 33-year-old Timothy Nelson
    • 3rd Degree Felony Possession of Controlled Substance Warrant, 5th Degree Felony Possession of Controlled Substance Warrant, Misdemeanor Driving without a valid license Warrant, Misdemeanor Theft Warrant
  • 23-year-old Alethea Isham
    • 5th Degree Felony Possession of Controlled Substance
  • 45-year-old Melissa Smith
    • Misdemeanor Warrant – Hold for Other Agency
  • 41-year-old Bryan Miller
    • Gross Misdemeanor Financial Transaction Card Fraud Warrant and Misdemeanor Theft Warrant
  • 35-year-old Joseph Follett
    • Misdemeanor Theft Warrant
  • 29-year-old Natasha Lindberg
    • 3rd Degree Felony Sale of Controlled Substance
  • 32-year-old Trever Brown
    • 5th Degree Felony Possession of Controlled Substance
  • 32-year-old Lashante Griggs
    • US Marshalls Felony Warrant
  • 41-year-old Christopher Hemphill
    • 5th Degree Felony Possession of Controlled Substance
  • 48-year-old Melissa Sabrowski
    • Gross Misdemeanor Trespass Warrant and Misdemeanor Theft Warrant
  • 45-year-old Daniel Brown
    • Fail to Appear Warrant
  • 33-year-old Michael Kimbrough
    • 1st Degree Aggravated Controlled Substance Warrant
  • 46-year-old Sandra Lightfeather
    • Misdemeanor Theft Warrant
  • 46-year-old Earl Bowser
    • 1st Degree Felony Sale of Controlled Substance

This operation was a tremendous team effort between our staff and our partners to keep our community safe and clean.

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