Derrick Thompson is charged with firearms and drug offenses and is still facing charges for killing five people in a crash

A federal jury on Friday found Derrick John Thompson guilty of gun and drug charges in connection with the June 2023 Minneapolis crash that killed five women after he veered off Interstate 35W at high speed and slammed into the car was in which they drove.

The verdicts on the fourth day of trial in U.S. District Court in St. Paul were guilty on all counts: possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, felony, possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm “during and.” in connection with a drug trafficking crime.”

While Thompson, 28, of Brooklyn Park and son of former DFL state Rep. John Thompson, now awaits sentencing in the case, third-degree murder and criminal vehicular manslaughter charges are also pending in Hennepin County in connection with the crash. In the meantime, he remains in federal custody at the Sherburne County Jail.

The crash victims were Sabiriin Ali, 17, of Bloomington; Sahra Gesaade, 20, of Brooklyn Center; Salma Abdikadir, 20, of St. Louis Park; Sagal Hersi, 19, of Minneapolis, and Siham Adam, 19, of Minneapolis. On the night they were killed, the women were on their way home after running errands before a friend’s wedding the next day. Her funeral was attended by thousands and an online fundraiser to support the victims’ families raised more than $450,000.

During the federal trial this week, Thompson’s defense attorneys argued that the drugs and a loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine discovered in the Escalade actually belonged to his brother, Damarco John Thompson – who both the prosecution and defense said was him He was a passenger in the SUV and fled the scene along with Derrick Thompson.

Damarco Thompson has not been arrested or charged with any crimes related to the crash.

Police found three phones in the car, one for each brother and one they shared. They found video, text and voice messages on Derrick Thompson’s phone that documented drugs being weighed for sale and drug purchases being negotiated.

A black leather bag containing the gun and drugs was found under a distinctive blue cap that Damarco Thompson wore earlier that night when he dropped Derrick off to catch the Escalade at the Minneapolis-St. to rent. Paul International Airport. Inside the bag was a loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine as well as more than 2,000 blue pills containing fentanyl, 14 grams of fentanyl powder and 35 grams of cocaine.