Wrigley suggested Rambus and his brother, Reuben, started drug operations in North Dakota before Reuben Rambus was shot in late 2016 in Detroit. Widmayer was found to have 30 pounds of meth and $32,000 cash at his house in Minot, prosecutors said. Privacy Policy / Trademark Policy / Copyright Policy / Refund Policy, or people after Wise County drug indictments 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. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. A Manhattan grand jury indicted six suspects tied to the alleged gang rings targeting New York Citys nightlife including three men suspected of being connected to the deaths of two gay men, John Umberger, 33, and Julio Ramirez, 25 but the NYPD 5 people indicted in federal drug case Feds probe drug pipeline from Detroit to North Dakota 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. North Dakota reservations target of Detroit opioid MN: Minnesotas Lake Region Healthcare Recovering From Ransomware Attack, FL: Ex-federal agent indicted on charges of dealing painkillers, tipping off Miami-Dade ring, CO: Former Paramedic Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Stealing Medical-Grade Fentanyl, VA: Arlington Doctor Charged with Illegally Distributing Oxycodone, NADDI Releases 2016 Statistics for NPLEx System, NPLEx Tracking System Shows Progress in Stalling Meth-Makers, NADDI Releases Second Quarter 2017 Statistics for NPLEx System, Michigan unveils information to combat opioid epidemic, Scripps Safe, Inc. federally indicted as part of OCDETF Operation Say Uncle. 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.. November 9, 2021. In the wreckage around the Jeep, authorities found two firearms and a fired 9mm cartridge casing. Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children. OCDETF stands for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which is a keystone of the Attorney Generals strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, and transnational criminal organizations. ND: More people indicted for trafficking drugs on North You are not currently a NADDI member. The objective is not to stack up defendants in prison but have the largest impact possible, he added. Announces Pharmacy Robbery-Burglary Protection Program With Pharmacists Mutual Insurance NAPLES, FL 02/07/2019 (PRDistribution.com) Scripps WEMU 89.1 Online; audio of the discussion can be found at the below link https://www.wemu.org/post/opioid-crisis-discussion-held-ann-arbor ByJORGE AVELLANMAY 15, 2019 A Norton physician has been charged with obtaining drugs by fraud and related crimes. Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. Updated: Apr 23, 2021 / 11:15 AM EDT. Legislative Session Ends With Passage of Nearly $20 Billion Budget, Man arrested for arson after two Minneapolis mosque fires. More than 11,000 Fentanyl pills seized in ND; Three Training and seminars for Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. 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. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Deadwood Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriffs Office, Spearfish Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. 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. Sullivan County grand jury returns 39 drug indictments 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. Media Notification: Assistant US Attorneys Stock and Conroy are available for comments at 11:00 a.m., November 9, 2021 at 701-297-7400. Authorities say Baker had received up to 3 pounds of meth per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018. Grand Jury indicts St. Louis man and others in WebDrug crimes are one of the most common offenses in North Dakota. Cases involving different organizations and conspiracies moving things narcotics in, again largely opioids. Honor Flight Takes Around 100 Local Veterans to Washington, D.C. US District Court for the District of North Dakota drug trade: Tazewell County indicts 116 April Baumgarten joined The Forum in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. Indictments have not been unsealed for the two men because charges havent been brought against 24 other possible defendants, Wrigley said. 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 methamphetamine was primarily distributed on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain Reservations. Filed: April 13, 2023 as 3:2023cv00077 Plaintiff: Cornwell Quality Tools Co. Doug Burgum on Saturday signed a major pension reform bill that protects the retirement benefits DENVER FEMA has approved $3.7 million in Public Assistance funding for COVID-19 and severe winter storm and Trucks carrying fresh vegetables, bakery items, boxed goods and other items will be making stops in Dodge, Mandaree Kevin Vigested has been named the new president and CEO at Aspire Credit Union. Fargo Acting United States Attorney Nick Chase announced that a federal grand jury has indicted five individuals for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine). The U.S. Attorneys Office in Fargo held a press conference on Thursday to discuss developments in Operation Blue Prairie.. Copyright 2022 KVLY. Among those indicted in the latest case include Romel Rambus, who is also known as Bagboy Mell, who has been indicted for a continuing criminal enterprise, money laundering conspiracy, Devonsha Dabney, whose aliases include Kemell, Mellyvsmell, and Rell, who has been indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, participating in a continuing criminal enterprise, participating in a money laundering conspiracy, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and aiding and abetting; Jonathan Walker, also known as J, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of a fentanyl mixture, possession with intent to distribute a fentanyl mixture, and aiding and abetting; Ervin Leon Sampson Jr., 22, also known as Mike, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, maintaining a drug-involved premises, distribution of an oxycodone mixture, and aiding and abetting; Osagyefo Nkrumah Nagbe, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a fentanyl mixture, and aiding and abetting; Jalen Komani Hester, 22, also known as Dream, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a fentanyl mixture, and aiding and abetting; Kristin Kaylen Johnson, 24, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and Dennison Jay Nez Jr., also known as DJ, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and Basil Hunts Along, who was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Weve been dealing with the Detroit connection from the We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. Fargo, ND, USA / The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. 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. In turn, lives are being destroyed, families are torn apart and communities are stretched to their breaking point. 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. 2008-2023 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd. Co. All rights reserved. The investigation remains active. More people indicted for trafficking drugs on North Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. The group is accused of conspiring to move the drugs to North Dakota for distribution primarily on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations. The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office charged nine persons with state offenses as part of the same Operation. A 10-month investigation by the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force into violence and drug dealing in the area of Pennsylvania and North Avenues in West Baltimore has led to six federal indictments charging a total of 29 defendants for conspiracy, drug distribution, and firearms charges. The case is being prosecuted federally by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich. Money laundering was also allegedly part of the operation, with some of the participants wiring the proceeds of drug transactions from North Dakota to Michigan or other locations. The first trials are scheduled to begin in February. drug charges; feds reveal climate of Posted: Apr 22, 2021 / 07:32 PM EDT. 5 people indicted in federal drug case in North Dakota Other related indictments were handed down against some of the participants. In November 2020, White had contact with North Dakota law enforcement on two occasions. All arrested defendants are pending trial, with the exceptions of Barker, Bell, Hunter, and Schumacher, each of whom has pleaded guilty. Apply Initiatives and Projects filter, Apply Indian Country Law and Justice filter, Apply Office and Personnel Updates filter, Canadian Woman Convicted for Her Role in a Large-Scale International Fentanyl Trafficking Operation, Investigated Under Operation Denial, Montana Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing $134,000 from Her Elderly Mother-in-law and Father-in-law, Department of Justice Distributes Compensation to People Harmed by Lack of Accessible Features at Residential Rental Properties Covered in Fair Housing Act Lawsuit, Fargo, ND, Man Pleads Guilty to Preparation of False Tax Returns, UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE DIRECTED TO WITHDRAW DEATH PENALTY NOTICE IN RODRIGUEZ CASE, St. Four other defendants Osagyefo Nagbe, 19, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Jonathan Bernard Walker, 39, Detroit; Basil Huntsalong, 35, Mandaree, N.D.; and Dennison Jay Nex Jr., 29, Parshall, N.D.; were named in Wednesday's news conference. Federal prosecutors in Rapid City, South Dakota, working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies across the State, federally charged 37 defendants with drug-related offenses, despite the challenges imposed on the criminal justice system and law enforcement officers everywhere by COVID-19. But the Chief of the Authorities allege that Jamale White has made a habit of traveling to and from North Dakota from Michigan to engage in drug trafficking. AG Jennings Announces More than 120 Charges in 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. 5 things to know today: Drug bust, Legacy Fund, Three people have been arrested for their involvement. She double majored in communications and history/political science at the University of Jamestown, N.D. We see that you have javascript disabled. He was charged as a juvenile. Authorities say other drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana, and morphine pills were also seized in the bust. Wrigley tells Weve had witnesses shot. Bell was sentenced on November 16, 2020, to more than 12 years in federal prison. In 2021, 107,622 people died from drug poisoning or overdose, with 66% being attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Two of the firearms that had been recovered from the wreckage had been linked to shootings in Michigan, according to the court documents filed in federal court. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that 26 people have been indicted in an anti-drug effort called However, Detroit has become a hub for shipping opioids to various parts of the U.S., he said. The defendants are allegedly Indictments This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Prosecutors allege the 30-person group at the center of Operation Letter to Reub started trafficking opioids to North Dakota in 2015, with operations continuing into this year. Web26 indicted in drug operation that targeted North Dakota reservations. Michigan man indicted on North Dakota drug charges A number of other people were indicted earlier in another case in connection with a trafficking ring based in Michigan that had trafficked drugs on North Dakota reservations and the surrounding area. They are preying on Native Americans who suffer from addiction, he added. Brothers Baquan Sledge and Darius Sledge are accused of leading that drug operation that started in 2015, according to court documents. Further investigation showed that that he Baker and Walking Elk were involved in the distribution. 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. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Unless otherwise stated, photos Big Stock Photography Dreamstime Photos Google Maps Thompson Reuters. 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 "We have seen a recent surge in both methamphetamine and opioid cases, and the FBI remains committed to working with our partners to arrest those responsible for threatening and exploiting tribal communities.". The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. OCDETF stands for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which is a keystone of the Attorney Generals strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. This case is being investigated Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Ward County Narcotics Task Force, Grand Forks County Narcotics Task Force, Lake Region Narcotics Task Force, and Eddy County Sheriffs Department, and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorneys office, with Assistant United States Attorneys Alex J. Mahoning County indictments: April 22, 2021 The group is charged of conspiring to move the drugs to North Dakota for distribution primarily on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations. RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that 37 people have been federally indicted as part of OCDETF Operation Say Uncle. Terry W. Van Horn 701-297-7458 [email protected]. North Drug Dealers Facing Federal A Sullivan County grand jury has recently indicted 39 people on more than 200 drug-related counts. Out of 390 nationwide cases that were investigated during this period, 51 are linked to overdose poisonings. WebA federal grand jury in North Dakota has indicted a Michigan man who was arrested twice last year on suspicion of dealing drugs. 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 North Dakota Indian reservations. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Federal authorities say 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. All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. indicted Authorities said Baker had allegedly received up to 3 pounds of meth per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018. Cheyenne and hundreds of other Native Americans in North Dakota have been ensnared by Detroit traffickers, who set up a drug pipeline more than a decade ago targeting North Dakota cities and reservations, according to tribal police and a supervisor with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. One Pill Can Kill started in September 2021. Agents with the MHA Nation's Division of Drug Enforcement make a drug-related arrest during a June traffic stop in Parshall, North Dakota. Wakefield insists he wasn't the mastermind who decided to target North Dakota, his attorney, Kent Morrow, told The Courier Journal. "It was all directed from Detroit," Morrow said. In January of 2021, Nathan Smith was arrested on Spirit Lake tribal charges following a high-speed chase. She grew up on a ranch 10 miles southeast of Belfield, N.D., where her family raises Hereford cattle. Stock and Lori H. Conroy assigned to the case. Robert Barnes, accused in 2021 of firing a shot toward another man during an argument, has pleaded guilty to illegal discharge of a firearm, according to Montrose Combined Court records. All rights reserved. What you need to know when charged with a drug crime Sign up today! Finally, Kansas authorities prosecuted co-conspirator Jennie Wallace, who was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison. News | USAO-ND | Department of Justice These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The ring also reportedly had ties to Detroit, Mich. 26 indicted in drug operation that targeted North Dakota indicted in large-scale meth trafficking network At least 8 people have already pleaded guilt. We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. 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. Between April 2015 at the latest through September 2020, the 12 men above possessed and distributed controlled substances, according to an indictment. Defendant: Kelly A. Walter and Kayla B. Walter Cause Of Action: 15 U.S.C. These indictments are the result of tremendous cooperation and teamwork between all levels of law enforcement in South Dakota, said U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons. Suspects are unique to their own alleged operations, Wrigley said. OMAHA, N.E. Bakers sources were identified as Widmayer and Garcia. No portions of this website may be reproduced, retransmitted, copied, or republished without expressed written consent from Shore News Media & Marketing, LLC. 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. On the first occasion, he had marijuana in his possession and U.S. currency. You are going to see a lot of this case in the months and maybe even in the years up ahead, Wrigley said, referring to the case as Operation Letter to Reub. 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. 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.. John Umberger, 33, was found dead in May of 2022 after leaving The Q, a gay nightclub. (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. 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. Only eight of the 30 defendants are from North Dakota, while the remaining are from the Detroit area, Wrigley said.