Create an account. Nov 9, 2021 | 3:54 PM BISMARCK, N.D. Five people are accused in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that brought more than 350 pounds of methamphetamine to two American Indian reservations in North Dakota in the last three years. Wrigley says heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl are the among the major drugs being sold on the Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain and Fort Berthold Indian Reservations since 2015. Wrigley tells KVRR News that the people involved in these cases are violent and dangerous. Bell was sentenced on November 16, 2020, to more than 12 years in federal prison. Walz Attends Operating Engineers Union Convention in Florida, Thousands rummage through items for sale in West Fargo, Woman hospitalized after being hit by vehicle in Dilworth; 1 in custody, N.D. However, Detroit has become a hub for shipping opioids to various parts of the U.S., he said. Cloud, MN, Woman Pleads Guilty to Leading a Major Dangerous Drug Distribution Enterprise from Mexico, NIGERIAN MAN SENTENCED FOR MAIL FRAUD AGAINST A DICKINSON, NORTH DAKOTA COMPANY, Former Beulah Bank President Sentenced to Two Counts of Bank Fraud, WILLISTON MAN SENTENCED FOR THREATENING DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES, Fort Totten, ND, Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Sexual Abuse of Minors, Last Defendant Sentenced to Serve 30 Years in Federal Prison for a Large Drug Distribution Enterprise Targeting the Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain and Fort Berthold Indian Reservations, California Man Convicted of Bismarck Bank Robbery, Detroit Man Sentenced to Serve 30 Years in Federal Prison for a Large Drug Distribution Enterprise Targeting the Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain and Fort Berthold Indian Reservations, A Tango Blast Gang Member (Texas Based Criminal Street Gang) Sentenced to Federal Prison in North Dakota, Fort Totten, ND, Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse of an Incapacitated Person, FARGO, ND, MAN CONVICTIED OF KIDNAPPING AND ATTEMPTED WITNESS TAMPERING, Karlsruh, ND, Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Sexually Explicit Material of Minor Children, Former Tribal Official Sentenced to Prison for Bribery Scheme, New Town, ND, Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse of Minor Female Child, Former Tribal Official Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme, U.S. Department of Justices Election Day Program, U.S. Attorneys Office Announces Commitment to Environmental Justice and Seeks Reporting of Environmental Justice Concerns, Spirit Lake, ND, Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Distribution of Child Pornography, St. Michael Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Three Counts of Involuntary Manslaughter, Fargo, ND, Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Illegal Ghost Guns and Imported Silencers. The indictments are currently sealed because of the sheer number of defendants, Wrigley said. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The methamphetamine was primarily distributed on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain Reservations. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Federal authorities say five people are accused in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that brought more than Authorities say Baker had received up to 3 pounds of meth per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018. Its a pattern of violence that the people that we deal with in law enforcement over in Michigan and particularly in Detroit will tell you that some of the people that are involved are among the most violent people there.. The objective is not to stack up defendants in prison but have the largest impact possible, he added. Wrigley said his office is making a significant impact on preventing further drug trafficking in North Dakota by "cutting the head off" of criminal enterprises. He added that three leaders of the ring are charged with Dubbed Operation Blue Prairie, that investigation uncovered the trafficking of tens of thousands of oxycodone pills worth $2.5 million that came from Detroit. Authorities allege that the ring leaders of the operation were Baquan Ramon Sledge Jr. and Darius Martese Sledge, who were each indicted for participaing in a continuing criminal enterprise. Its a pattern of violence that the people that we deal with in law enforcement over in Michigan and particularly in Detroit will tell you that some of the people that are involved are among the most violent people there.. Baker was arrested in a June traffic stop in Grand Forks, were police seized 8 ounces of meth and $27,000. Indictments have not been unsealed for the two men because charges havent been brought against 24 other possible defendants, Wrigley said. Romel Rambus appeared to have started the gang as a tribute to his brother, Wrigley said. Web26 indicted in drug operation that targeted North Dakota reservations. But the Chief of the The first trials are scheduled to begin in February. Updated: Apr 23, 2021 / 11:15 AM EDT. U.S. says it 'infiltrated' the Sinaloa drug cartel in the fight against fentanyl. There is a third person suspected of supervising several members, but he remains at large. More people indicted for trafficking drugs on North Dakota Indian reservations January 8, 2021 Jim Monk FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) More charges have The first trials are scheduled to begin in February. Wrigley says drug dealers like to do business in North Dakota because street prices are much more expensive here than other places around the country. She grew up on a ranch 10 miles southeast of Belfield, N.D., where her family raises Hereford cattle. All five defendants face the possibility of life in prison without parole. "This conspiracy is alleged to have been targeting North Dakota communities in multiple pound quantities and that translates to thousands of doses of drugs that have been intercepted and taken off the street before they could further fuel addition. Weve had witnesses shot. At least 8 people have already pleaded guilty. Widmayer was found to have 30 pounds of meth and $32,000 cash at his house in Minot, prosecutors said. The case is not the first large-scale investigation into opioids coming from Detroit to North Dakota. He called them a very talkative group. BISMARCK, N.D. Five people are accused in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that brought more than 350 pounds of methamphetamine to two American The case is being prosecuted federally by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich. A jury trial has been scheduled for Feb. 23 in U.S. District Court in Fargo before Judge Peter Welte for some defendants whom authorities allege were part of a a drug trafficking ring that distributed oxycodone on the Fort Berthold, Turtle Mountain, and Spirit Lake reservations between 2015 and 2019. The U.S. Attorney Office in North Dakota was made aware of the case last summer, Wrigley said. He was 23 years old, according to media reports. With this in mind, its important that we continue educating our families and friends on the deadly consequences of this toxic drug.. Also indicted in the conspiracy were Terrance P. Johnson Jr., Deante Edwards, Anthony Wade, Lillian Lee, Twon Stepfone Boyd, Ira Mae Snell, Grayson Dye, Martina Whitetail, Robert Touche, Calvin Dubois, Edward Dubois, Chantel Longie, Kerry Morin, Kasondra Grant, Constance Aiken, Shanae Dubois, Faith Liddell, Cheryl Lilley, Farron DeLong, Johnna Goodiron, Shanel Mudgett, and Carleen Counts. 26 defendants were charged in a separate ring FARGO Federal prosecutors have started to unveil defendants in a significant opioid trafficking case they say led one of the most violent Detroit gangs to Announces Pharmacy Robbery-Burglary Protection Program with Pharmacists Mutual Insurance, Opioid Crisis Discussion Held In Ann Arbor, Norton Doctor Arrested and Faces Drug and Fraud Charges. Further investigation showed that that he Baker and Walking Elk were involved in the distribution. The individuals weve arrested and those under investigation are specifically targeting people on the reservations of North Dakota, DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says about 30 more people have been indicted charges in addition to the 26 defendants charged in federal Posted: Apr 22, 2021 / 07:32 PM EDT. All arrested defendants are pending trial, with the exceptions of Barker, Bell, Hunter, and Schumacher, each of whom has pleaded guilty. CHARGES LESSENED FOR ND MAN ACCUSED OF RUNNING OVER, KILLING TEEN AFTER POLITICAL ARGUMENT. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that 26 people have been indicted in an anti-drug effort called Baltimore, MD. In January of 2021, Nathan Smith was arrested on Spirit Lake tribal charges following a high-speed chase. Barker, Hunter, and Schumacher are pending sentencing. Their cooperation and assistance have helped all the law enforcement agencies involved to see the fruits of the hard work they put into building this case.. WebA federal grand jury in North Dakota has indicted a Michigan man who was arrested twice last year on suspicion of dealing drugs. A drug roundup in Tazewell County has resulted in the indictment of 116 people, with most of those already arrested and police are searching for the rest. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Wrigley tells FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) More charges have been filed in connection with what federal prosecutors say is a pipeline thats transporting drugs from the Detroit area to Indian reservations in North Dakota. Copyright 2022 KVLY. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. A federal grand jury has indicted several people in connection with a drug trafficking ring originating in Michigan and involving drug trafficking, including of oxycodone and the lethal fentanyl, in Minot and on the Fort Berthold reservation. Finally, Kansas authorities prosecuted co-conspirator Jennie Wallace, who was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison. The investigation indicated that Baker had been receiving 2-3 pounds of methamphetamine per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018, resulting in more than 350 pounds of methamphetamine. (Valley News Live) - A four-month DEA investigation into drug trafficking in central North Dakota has resulted in the seizure of more than 11,000 fentanyl pills. A grand jury indicted 25-year-old Uzziel Garcia, of Arizona; 57-year-old Allan Widmayer, of Minot; 50-year-old Corey Baker, of Sheyenne; 40-year-old Nathan Smith, of Fort Totten; and 36-year-old Charlsie Walking Elk, of Tokio. He said evidence suggests defendants used violence, threats, firearms and sex to force people to join the gang. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says about 30 more people have been indicted charges in addition to the 26 defendants charged in federal court Thursday. The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office charged nine persons with state offenses as part of the same Operation. All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The premium, the same pills that are being sold here in North Dakota for 80 dollars a pill, the exact same pill is going to sell for maybe 25 dollars in Chicago Wrigley said. The state charged defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Trevor Thielen. November 9, 2021. Training and seminars for Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. 26 defendants were charged in a separate ring, Minnesota, North Dakota to get part of $573M opioid settlement, Minot's largest fentanyl bust, worth about $400,000, goes to federal court, Michigan man found with 2,000 fentanyl pills in Bismarck hotel, prosecutors allege, Local public golf courses showing signs of life, opening soon, Empty department director positions swell to 6 in West Fargo city government, The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack podcast: Orange Whip and Dave Schultz, 'A fairly regular issue,' area animal shelters see no end in sight to overcrowding, As West Fargo teacher nears end of prestigious fellowship, school district wont rehire her, Fargo finance chief has history of yelling, creating toxic work environment, records show, Historic school building near downtown Fargo may get new purpose. The premium, the same pills that are being sold here in North Dakota for 80 dollars a pill, the exact same pill is going to sell for maybe 25 dollars in Chicago Wrigley said. Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children. That case was unprecedented, but authorities have discovered multiple groups are dealing opioids on North Dakota reservations, Wrigley said. In the wreckage around the Jeep, authorities found two firearms and a fired 9mm cartridge casing. ST. LOUIS A federal grand jury indicted Derek Rockette for charges that include conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Man Shot Multiple Times Dead In Northeast D.C. Store Employee Shot During Baltimore Robbery, 33-year-old shot and killed Sunday morning in District Heights, 24-year-old taxi driver charged with rape of juvenile, Retired New York State Police Senior Investigator Dies from Illness Related to 9/11 Service, Paterson man charged for sexual assault of woman, Police searching for suspect in North Linden robbery. We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. According to court documents in Jamale Whites case, Jamale White, who gave the false name Kemani Dabney, was arrested in March 2020 in Mountrail County and was in possession of approximately 50 opiate pills. Im incredibly proud of these dedicated state, local, tribal, and federal officers and agents, and all hands are on deck as we continue to work together to defeat the scourge of illegal drugs that is devastating communities across the State., Our partnership with the U.S. Attorneys office has been incredibly successful in this matter, said David Natvig, Director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. Outside of South Dakota, agencies assisted from the Reno County (KS) Drug Enforcement Unit, Billings (MT) Drug Task Force, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Saint Joe (MO) Drug Task Force, Utah Highway Patrol, Utah State Bureau of Investigation, Greensboro (NC) Drug Task Force, and the Yuba City (CA) NET5 Drug Task Force. Four of Chapos Sons Indicted for Large-Scale Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Violent Crimes as Alleged Leaders of Sinaloa Cartel April 14, 2023 Wrigley says those indicted targeted and preyed on low-level dealers across Indian Country in North Dakota. Wrigley alleges evidence can show transportation of tens of thousands of oxycodone pills, worth around $2.5 million into North Dakota alone.