Attorney General secures two convictions for third-degree murder in fentanyl overdose death
Breeann Lenore Krueger sentenced to 117 months in prison following death of Justin Troy Rops; Miranda Michelle Sanow to be sentenced on July 8, 2025
June 4, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, a Pipestone County court sentenced Breeann Lenore Krueger to 117 months in prison for her role in the fentanyl overdose death of 25-year-old Justin Troy Rops, following her April 15, 2025, guilty plea to Third-Degree Murder. Codefendant Miranda Michelle Sanow also entered a guilty plea to Third-Degree Murder in August 2024. Sanow is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2025.
In October and November 2022, Krueger sold Sanow thousands of dollars worth of fentanyl. Sanow repackaged the fentanyl, and on November 16, 2022, Sanow sold the fentanyl she purchased from Krueger to the victim. The victim consumed the drug and was found deceased by his mother the next morning. An autopsy revealed the victim’s cause of death to be fentanyl toxicity.
Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted the case at the request of Pipestone County Attorney Damain Sandy under Minnesota Statutes Sec. 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.”
“Justin had his whole life ahead of him. His family and friends spoke about his dream of becoming a special education teacher and his history as an accomplished athlete and student. Justin’s death is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to his loved ones in this extremely difficult time,” said Attorney General Ellison. “The scourge of fentanyl is causing tremendous pain to Minnesota families, and I will continue working alongside county attorneys and law enforcement across the state prosecute those who sell this deadly drug.”
Attorney General Ellison thanks the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who assisted in the investigation and prosecution of this crime.
