St. Cloud Planning Commission member and president of St. Cloud educational organization, Too Much Talent, Lenora Hunt is facing legal challenges after she allegedly helped suspected drug traffickers sell a gun this past summer.
The Stearns County Attorney’s Office on Monday filed a gross misdemeanor charge against Hunt for wrongfully transferring an assault weapon. Following the criminal charges, Mayor Dave Kleis on Wednesday afternoon asked Hunt to resign from her seat on the planning commission.
A gross misdemeanor charge, if convicted, would carry up to a year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine for Hunt, a two-time St. Cloud City Council candidate.
“Based on the seriousness of these charges, I have asked Ms. Hunt to resign from the planning commission pending all the legal matters,” Kleis said. “Not only for the seriousness of the charges, but because the (investigator) is a city employee — that is one of our sergeants.”
An Aug. 2 search warrant application states alleged drug trafficker Devounteono “Krusher” Tyson, a member of the Breckenridge Avenue North trio arrested this summer on drug charges, was part of the youth education organization, Too Much Talent, that Hunt is the founder of.
Too Much Talent provides youth with after school activities, Boys2Men workshops, cultural activities and health and wellness activities. Boys2Men is a national organization with headquarters in Berea, Ohio. According to Boys2Men’s website, the organization provides a supportive and secure environment where boys can thrive and overcome obstacles.
Allegations of loaded gun in Too Much Talent’s building
The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force worked with a confidential informant on July 30 to purchase a pistol from Tyson, according to court records. When purchasing the gun, records state Tyson went into the Too Much Talent building at 1415 Fifth St. N. and returned with the loaded pistol.
Electronic surveillance and phone records mentioned in court documents allegedly show Tyson speaking with Hunt on the phone about the gun sale, specifically Tyson giving Hunt money for the firearm and taking possession of the gun.
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In another meeting between Hunt and Tyson that was recorded by authorities, court records allege the two talked about Hunt’s campaign for local political office, how the election could impact the alleged Zoo Krew Family drug traffickers and details about Hunt’s personal life.The Zoo Krew Family is a St. Cloud-based group known by authorities for selling drugs, such as fentanyl and cocaine.
“During that time, Tyson discussed with Hunt her running for (city council) and being able to help Tyson and several co-defendants with criminal cases once she wins, the firearm in her possession (and) the amount of money she wants for it,” the criminal complaint reads.
The two also talked about jail bonding funds and having a lawyer ready to go, according to court records.
A search warrant application states children were playing outside of Too Much Talent at the time of the firearm sale.
Violent Offender Task Force alleges several drug dealers frequented educational organization
Too Much Talent’s building was frequented by known fentanyl traffickers, including Tyson, according to legal documents. Tyson lived a few doors down from the Too Much Talent building at 1424 Breckenridge Ave. N. with alleged drug dealer Richard “Rick Mob” Ayler and Trae “Fatt Trae” Patterson, another dealer who took a plea deal. Tyson is being held on $2 million bail without conditions while he awaits trial.
A search warrant application also states Hunt’s sons may be involved with the suspected drug traffickers. Investigators in the warrant application cited the use of a car registered to Too Much Talent was used when exchanging cash for goods and visiting the house with backpacks in a fashion “consistent with the distribution of controlled substances.” Hunt’s sons are 20 and 17 years old.
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Those in the neighborhood where Too Much Talent is located expressed concerns to the St. Cloud Times about roughly four years of parties at the trio’s home, increased foot traffic and individuals traveling between the Too Much Talent building and Tyson’s home. One late-night incident allegedly led to a house being shot at, neighbors say.
Fentanyl arrests in St. Cloud
Tyson, Ayler and Patterson were arrested in late August. They were primary suspects in a regional fentanyl investigation by the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force that started in late 2023.
The roughly year-long investigation into these fentanyl-related incidents led the task force to file sales or possession charges against 61 people across the state, conduct 112 controlled fentanyl purchases and execute 14 search warrants, according to a recent task force release.
During the investigation, authorities gained possession of roughly 16,000 pressed fentanyl pills, 160 grams of fentanyl powder, nine firearms and $38,000 in drug sale proceeds.
Trio makes its way through court system:Breckenridge Avenue trio member pleads guilty to drug dealing charges
Hunt’s political and community education career
St. Cloud’s city council race had a packed playing field this 2024 election, with Hunt being one of 16 candidates vying for three open seats. Her campaign efforts didn’t make it past the primary election, coming in 14th with 523 votes, or 2.7%.
The 38-year-old candidate ran her campaign on housing, education and employment, according to her candidate interview with Kleis. She has lived in St. Cloud since 2019 and unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2020 as well. In addition to her role on the planning commission, Hunt was on the Mayor’s Downtown Task Force and was looking to revitalize St. Cloud’s city center.
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Hunt founded her early childhood and leadership development organization, Too Much Talent, in 2019. The St. Cloud City Council approved Too Much Talent’s building on Fifth Street at its Feb. 12, 2024 meeting. Hunt told council members Too Much Talent reaches anywhere from 20 to 40 children a day.
Since the criminal complaint for Hunt was filed on Monday, Hunt said she wasn’t aware of the charges or summons when the St. Cloud Times reached out for comment Wednesday morning. She didn’t provide further comment.
Hunt’s previous convictions include fifth degree assault and theft by false representation, according to court records. These cases were filed with Stearns and Hennepin counties.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.