Theoplus Cardell Richmond sentenced to 11 years for 3rd-degree murder 

Sentenced to 135 months for fatal sale of fentanyl

December 23, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Yesterday, a Pope County court sentenced Theoplus Cardell Richmond to 135 months in prison for his role in the February 20, 2021, sale of fentanyl that led to an overdose of Tyler Kirckof in Glenwood, Minnesota. Richmond pled guilty to third-degree murder on October 20, 2025.

On February 20, 2021, co-defendant Teresa Massey drove Richmond from Minneapolis to Glenwood to deliver fentanyl to Tyler Kirckof, in a drug sale arranged by co-defendant Samuel Long. Tyler Kirchof overdosed and died. An autopsy determined that fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity caused Tyler Kirchof’s death. Massey was previously convicted of aiding and abetting the drug sale, and Long was previously convicted of aiding and abetting third-degree murder.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Richmond upon a referral from Pope County Attorney Neil Nelson under Minnesota Statutes section 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.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil. Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“I’m keeping Tyler’s friends, family, and loved ones in my prayers,” said Attorney General Ellison. “What happened to Tyler is a tragedy — one that is far too familiar for so many families across Minnesota. The scourge of fentanyl has caused so much harm and grief in every corner of our state, and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to protect Minnesotans from it. Yesterday, we held accountable the man who provided Tyler the fentanyl that took his life. I will continue working alongside law enforcement to prosecute people who sell or aid in the sale of this deadly drug.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Pope County Sheriff’s Office, the Glenwood Police Department, and the Starbuck Police Department for their investigation of this crime.