Inmate Receives 15 Years in Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy Inside Stillwater Prison

ST. PAUL, Minn. - An inmate has been sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiring with a corrections officer to distribute methamphetamine inside the Stillwater prison, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Axel Rene Kramer, 37, an inmate who is currently serving a 288-month sentence for second-degree murder, conspired with Faith Rose Gratz, 26, a former Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) - Stillwater corrections officer, to distribute methamphetamine within MCF - Stillwater, which is Minnesota's largest high-security prison facility. As part of the conspiracy, Kramer obtained wholesale quantities of prepackaged methamphetamine from sources of supply outside the prison. Kramer and another co-conspirator inmate worked with drug sources of supply to arrange meet-up times and locations where Gratz would pick up the drug packages. Gratz used her position as a guard to smuggle the drugs into the prison and to provide the drugs to Kramer. She then transferred the drugs to Gratz in the course of performing her prison guard duties. She participated in the illegal scheme approximately six times. Gratz also smuggled into the prison multiple cell phones that she provided to Kramer. Kramer used the cell phones to communicate with people inside and outside the prison and to facilitate his drug distribution network from within the prison.

According to court documents, Kramer and Gratz exchanged hundreds of text messages with each other. The messages included communications about the drug distribution conspiracy as well as discussions about their romantic relationship. Gratz also warned Kramer about upcoming searches of inmates' cells.

On January 5, 2024, Kramer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced on November 12, 2024, by Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court. On November 15, 2024, Judge Tostrud sentenced Gratz to 27 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bayport Police Department, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Matthew D. Evans prosecuted the case.