All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The state charged defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Trevor Thielen. (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. The gang found its way to North Dakota because they can get a premium price for selling drugs, sometimes $100 per pill, Wrigley said. 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 Fargo, ND, USA / The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. He said evidence suggests defendants used violence, threats, firearms and sex to force people to join the gang. Bakers sources were identified as "Woody" from Minot and "O Girl" from Arizona, later identified as defendants Allan Widmayer and Uzziel Garcia. CHARGES LESSENED FOR ND MAN ACCUSED OF RUNNING OVER, KILLING TEEN AFTER POLITICAL ARGUMENT. Those charges, as well, are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Wrigley declined to say how much fentanyl and oxycodone the Reub gang allegedly brought into the state but said it made up a very significant portion of the narcotics coming into North Dakota. Widmayer was found to have 30 pounds of meth and $32,000 cash at his house in Minot, prosecutors said. 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. Cases involving different organizations and conspiracies moving things narcotics in, again largely opioids. As part of the conspiracy, some of the defendants allegedly sought out oxycodone users to buy illegal drugs from others or found sub-distributors of oxycodone to provide the drug for other conspirators, according to the complaint. A Sullivan County grand jury has recently indicted 39 people on more than 200 drug-related counts. Create an account. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The NADDI Board of Directors is pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website! 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 says about 30 more people have been indicted charges in addition to the 26 defendants charged in federal Jamale White also had a criminal record in Michigan and was allegedly driving a stolen Jeep that collided with a semi and caught fire in August 2020, leaving him with injuries. Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office charged nine persons with state offenses as part of the same Operation. 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. A grand jury indicted Uzziel Garcia, 25, of Arizona; Allan Widmayer, 57, of Minot; Corey Baker, 50, of Sheyenne; Nathan Smith, 40, of Fort Totten; and Charlsie Walking Elk, 36, of Tokio. 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 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. Bakers sources were identified as Widmayer and Garcia. 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. A later search of his vehicle yielded 73 grams of methamphetamine. 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. According to the court documents, White is deemed a flight risk and his social media pages are filled with pictures of him with guns and conversations between some co-defendants about the sale of firearms and trafficking of oxycodone and fentanyl pills. Media Notification: Assistant US Attorneys Stock and Conroy are available for comments at 11:00 a.m., November 9, 2021 at 701-297-7400. 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. Law enforcement officials in Michigan informed Wrigley his office is investigating one of the most violent gangs in Detroit. A key moment in the case came when Smith was arrested with 73 grams of meth following a high speed chase and the Spirit Lake Reservation is northeastern North Dakota, authorities said. You are not currently a NADDI member. Legislative Session Ends With Passage of Nearly $20 Billion Budget, Man arrested for arson after two Minneapolis mosque fires. DEA officials say the bust is tied to one case investigated as part of their One Pill Can Kill initiative. Copyright 2022 KVLY. All Rights Reserved. Baltimore, MD. We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. Romel Rambus appeared to have started the gang as a tribute to his brother, Wrigley said. RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that 37 people have been federally indicted as part of OCDETF Operation Say Uncle. 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. During the second encounter, as he was traveling east out of state, he and co-defendant Deeangelo White were found in possession of nearly $3,000 in 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. Wrigley tells No portions of this website may be reproduced, retransmitted, copied, or republished without expressed written consent from Shore News Media & Marketing, LLC. Updated: Apr 23, 2021 / 11:15 AM EDT. 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. Privacy Policy / Trademark Policy / Copyright Policy / Refund Policy, or Brothers Baquan Sledge and Darius Sledge are accused of leading that drug operation that started in 2015, according to court documents. WebA federal grand jury in North Dakota has indicted a Michigan man who was arrested twice last year on suspicion of dealing drugs. "This investigation is an incredible federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement endeavor, working together to dismantle a major narcotics trafficking ring from our North Dakota tribal communities," said Acting United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase. Wrigley tells KVRR News that the people involved in these cases are violent and dangerous. The first trials are scheduled to begin in February. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that 26 people have been indicted in an anti-drug effort called The investigation indicated that Baker had been receiving 2-3 pounds of methamphetamine per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018, resulting in more Cases involving different organizations and conspiracies moving things narcotics in, again largely opioids. 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. She grew up on a ranch 10 miles southeast of Belfield, N.D., where her family raises Hereford cattle. 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. Potentially record cold temperatures for March and April, Gov. Honor Flight Takes Around 100 Local Veterans to Washington, D.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. The group is accused of conspiring to move the drugs to North Dakota for distribution primarily on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations. Defendant: Kelly A. Walter and Kayla B. Walter Cause Of Action: 15 U.S.C. 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 Wrigley suggested Rambus and his brother, Reuben, started drug operations in North Dakota before Reuben Rambus was shot in late 2016 in Detroit. Only eight of the 30 defendants are from North Dakota, while the remaining are from the Detroit area, Wrigley said. He called them a very talkative group. Training and seminars for Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. A federal grand jury has indicted several people in connection with a drug trafficking ring originating in Michigan and involving drug trafficking, including of 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. 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. Baltimore, MD. 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. U.S. says it 'infiltrated' the Sinaloa drug cartel in the fight against fentanyl. He added that three leaders of the ring are charged with WebDecember 13, 2022 A Tango Blast Gang Member (Texas Based Criminal Street Gang) Sentenced to Federal Prison in North Dakota Fort Totten, ND, Men Sentenced to 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). Federal Tax ID: 52-1660752 / DUNS Number: 073539913, Copyright 2023 - NADDI. Dubbed Operation Blue Prairie, that investigation uncovered the trafficking of tens of thousands of oxycodone pills worth $2.5 million that came from Detroit. That case was unprecedented, but authorities have discovered multiple groups are dealing opioids on North Dakota reservations, Wrigley said. At least 8 people have already pleaded guilt. 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. 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. On the first occasion, he had marijuana in his possession and U.S. currency. (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. 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. FARGO For the third consecutive year, Gate City Bank has made Forbes list of Worlds Best Banks, claiming BISMARCK Gov. 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. 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 Three people have been arrested for their involvement. He was 23 years old, according to media reports. 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. The defendants are allegedly In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic and help people in need, the state of Michigan has unveiled Scripps Safe, Inc. We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Weve had witnesses shot. 2008-2023 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd. Co. All rights reserved. John Umberger, 33, was found dead in May of 2022 after leaving The Q, a gay nightclub. The indictments are currently sealed because of the sheer number of defendants, Wrigley said. 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. Baker was arrested in a June traffic stop in Grand Forks, were police seized 8 ounces of meth and $27,000. In turn, lives are being destroyed, families are torn apart and communities are stretched to their breaking point. Stock and Lori H. Conroy assigned to the case. "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.". 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. Authorities said Baker had allegedly 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.. Indictments have not been unsealed for the two men because charges havent been brought against 24 other possible defendants, Wrigley said. The U.S. Attorney Office in North Dakota was made aware of the case last summer, Wrigley said. Bell was sentenced on November 16, 2020, to more than 12 years in federal prison. In January of 2021, Nathan Smith was arrested on Spirit Lake tribal charges following a high-speed chase. She double majored in communications and history/political science at the University of Jamestown, N.D. We see that you have javascript disabled. In November 2020, White had contact with North Dakota law enforcement on two occasions. 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. 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. There is a third person suspected of supervising several members, but he remains at large. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Garcia was arrested after she traveled to North Dakota to collect money. Months-long, multi-agency investigation results in 14 indictments for six murders and several shootings driving Wilmington violence Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that the Department of Justice has secured the indictment of 14 defendants on more than 120 criminal charges stemming from their involvement in the Nearly 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. The charges allege the defendants conspired with each other to bring multiple pounds of methamphetamine into Western South Dakota beginning in 2019 and continuing into 2020. The suspects used social media heavily to communicate with each other and brag about their profits, Wrigley said. Terry W. Van Horn 701-297-7458 terry.vanhorn@usdoj.gov. In likely his last news conference, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley on Wednesday, Feb. 24, named DeVonsha Dabney and Romel Rambus, two 26-year-olds Authorities allege that Jamale White has made a habit of traveling to and from North Dakota from Michigan to engage in drug trafficking. Further investigation showed that that he Baker and Walking Elk were involved in the distribution. He was charged as a juvenile. Larry Owens III, 25, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. All but three of the defendants have been arrested. More people indicted for trafficking drugs on North Dakota Indian reservations January 8, 2021 Jim Monk FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) More charges have Between April 2015 at the latest through September 2020, the 12 men above possessed and distributed controlled substances, according to an indictment. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Agencies involved in this effort include the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Grand Jury indicts St. Louis man and others in international drug ring By DOJ Press November 10, 2021 the gateway arch of st. louis missouri. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Federal authorities say five people are accused in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that brought more than 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. 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. Unless otherwise stated, photos Big Stock Photography Dreamstime Photos Google Maps Thompson Reuters. The first trials are scheduled to begin in February. The case is being prosecuted federally by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich. Anyone with information on people charged in the latest round of indictments is asked to call the Wise County Sheriffs Office at (276) 328-3566. All arrested defendants are pending trial, with the exceptions of Barker, Bell, Hunter, and Schumacher, each of whom has pleaded guilty. Authorities say Baker had received up to 3 pounds of meth per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018. Twenty-two men and women accused of dealing methamphetamine and heroin in northwest North Dakota had their names made public Monday.