Court documents tie alleged ring-leader of Duluth ‘Drug Trafficking Organization’ to murder
John Deon Herring
(St. Louis County Jaiil)
DULUTH. Min. – Branden Russell King has been arrested accused of shooting and killing Chazz Toney on October 10, 2025. The indictment filed in St. Louis County court explained the alleged facts of the investigation. It does not explain a motive. That indictment does not mention John Herring, but Toney’s name is mention with Herring in other court documents.
Herring was arrested January 7, 2026 because according to Duluth Police, he ran a “Drug Trafficking Organization” in Duluth. Duluth Police say they, along with the Lake Superior Violent Crime Task Force, have made 48-arrests in regards to that “Drug Trafficking Organization”. Twenty-four of those people were arrested on January 7 – including Herring. He is facing three felony drug-related charges.
None of his charges to date are related to Toney’s murder. But, Toney’s murder is showing up in court documents associated with Herring.
Branden Russell King
(St. Louis County Jail)
Following his arrest the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office asked for a $2,000,000 bail for Herring. One of the reasons for the high bail request according to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office is his, “Alleged involvement in the Chazz Toney homicide.”
Part of the drug indictment against Herring reads, “Mr. Toney was murdered just days after getting into a heated verbal altercation with [Herring].”
The indictment also says about one month after Toney’s death, Duluth Police tried to question someone about the murder. That person then got ahold of Herring to inform him that they were contacted by police. Shortly after being informed, Herring changed one of his phone numbers.
The drug indictment also say Herring left Duluth and went to Colorado for 18-days. He left Duluth the same day Toney was killed.
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King was arrested about 24-hours after Herring was arrested.
Herring Bail or Bond of
