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. In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic and help people in need, the state of Michigan has unveiled Scripps Safe, Inc. 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. Four of Chapos Sons Indicted for Large-Scale Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Violent Crimes as Alleged Leaders of Sinaloa Cartel April 14, 2023 1114 She double majored in communications and history/political science at the University of Jamestown, N.D. We see that you have javascript disabled. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. 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. Wrigley tells KVRR News that the people involved in these cases are violent and dangerous. You are not currently a NADDI member. All rights reserved. Training and seminars for Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. The last of the charged defendants, Smith, appeared in federal court November 8, 2021. WebA federal grand jury in North Dakota has indicted a Michigan man who was arrested twice last year on suspicion of dealing drugs. 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. says it 'infiltrated' the Sinaloa drug cartel in the fight against fentanyl. CHARGES LESSENED FOR ND MAN ACCUSED OF RUNNING OVER, KILLING TEEN AFTER POLITICAL ARGUMENT. 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. 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. April Baumgarten joined The Forum in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. 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. He was charged as a juvenile. Those charges, as well, are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Bakers sources were identified as Widmayer and Garcia. He was 23 years old, according to media reports. WebOur North Dakota drug crime defense attorneys at Sand Law, PLLC have offices conveniently located throughout North Dakota to serve clients statewide, including Garcia was arrested after she had been in contact with Widmayer and had traveled to North Dakota to collect money. 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. "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.". He added that three leaders of the ring are charged with 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. 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. 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. But the Chief of the 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 Legislative Session Ends With Passage of Nearly $20 Billion Budget, Man arrested for arson after two Minneapolis mosque fires. Suspects are unique to their own alleged operations, Wrigley said. federally indicted as part of OCDETF Operation Say Uncle. Wrigley tells Baker was arrested in a June traffic stop in Grand Forks, were police seized 8 ounces of meth and $27,000. Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. In November 2020, White had contact with North Dakota law enforcement on two occasions. The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office charged nine persons with state offenses as part of the same Operation. 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. Grand jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. 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). OMAHA, N.E. 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. Jamale White and Deeangelo Tyrone White Jr., whose aliases include Relly Dee, Delo, and Delo Baxk, were both indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and there were proceedings in district court in Michigan regarding their transfer to North Dakota to face charges here. 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. 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. We have multiple other, dozens of other indictments. There is a third person suspected of supervising several members, but he remains at large. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Fargo held a press conference on Thursday to discuss developments in Operation Blue Prairie.. 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 Federal Tax ID: 52-1660752 / DUNS Number: 073539913, Copyright 2023 - NADDI. 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. In January of 2021, Nathan Smith was arrested on Spirit Lake tribal charges following a high-speed chase. that targeted the same North Dakota tribes. 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. The state charged defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Trevor Thielen. The investigation remains active. 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. 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. Garcia was arrested after she traveled to North Dakota to collect money. 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.. Contact the Webmaster to submit comments. 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. Romel Rambus appeared to have started the gang as a tribute to his brother, Wrigley said. The defendants are allegedly (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. DEA officials say the bust is tied to one case investigated as part of their One Pill Can Kill initiative. In 2017, authorities made over 260,000 arrests for drug violations in the state of North Dakota alone. Potentially record cold temperatures for March and April, Gov. Stock and Lori H. Conroy assigned to the case. 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. 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. One Pill Can Kill started in September 2021. On the first occasion, he had marijuana in his possession and U.S. currency. She's seen more and more fentanyl-laced pills, with dealers who supply the reservation also setting up hubs in the closest cities across North Dakota: Bismarck, Minot and Williston. One of the most notorious traffickers was Wakefield. Other related indictments were handed down against some of the participants. November 9, 2021. WebDrug crimes are one of the most common offenses in North Dakota. The group is accused of conspiring to move the drugs to North Dakota for distribution primarily on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations. Those federally charged include: Erick Anaya (30, Archdale, NC); Kelly Barker (67, Rapid City, SD ); Ricardo Barragan (30, Aurora, CO); Christopher Bell (27, Rapid City, SD); Nathan Bellew (39, Hot Springs, SD); Kelley Blevins (42, Box Elder, SD); Robert Brenden (33, Rapid City, SD); Jennifer Cagle (32, Box Elder, SD); Robert Cagle (31, Box Elder, SD); Uzziel Carillo-Rojas (33, Mazatlan, Mexico); Charles Clark (42, Box Elder, SD); Jennifer Clark (41, Box Elder, SD); Mason Colbath (29, Rapid City, SD); Michael Cole (30, Rapid City, SD); Melvin Corbine (43, Rapid City, SD); Justin Coyle (34, Rapid City, SD); Lenin Flores-Herrera (27, Mazatlan, Mexico); Matthew Foster (43, Huron, SD); Luis Gonzalez Meza (42, Tijuana, Mexico); Patrick Greenfield (30, Rapid City, SD); Erin Hunter (35, Rapid City, SD); Rayne Jackson (27, Denver, CO); Stephen Jordan (30, Rapid City, SD); Scott Kallstrom (40, Rapid City, SD); Christina Kruse (23, Sioux Falls, SD); Anthony Larson (40, Rapid City, SD); Delaine Martinez (43, Billings, MT); Michael McLeod (41, Rapid City, SD); Teri Moore (36, Hot Springs, SD); Javier Reyna (56, Oceanside, CA); Tiana Rountree (24, Rapid City, SD); Aynjel Schumacher (26, Rapid City, SD); Martin Shaw (45, Rapid City, SD); Michael Sherard (34, Brooklyn Park, MN); John Thornberry (23, Spearfish, SD); Darwin Toof (30, Box Elder, SD ); and Eric Yockey (35, Black Hawk, SD). Unless otherwise stated, photos Big Stock Photography Dreamstime Photos Google Maps Thompson Reuters. Posted: Apr 22, 2021 / 07:32 PM EDT. He called them a very talkative group. 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 investigation indicated that Baker had been receiving 2-3 pounds of methamphetamine per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018, resulting in more 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. RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that 37 people have been federally indicted as part of OCDETF Operation Say Uncle. 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. Weve had witnesses killed. OMAHA, N.E. Directly under them in the operation were Derrick Eugene Walker and Dondiago Francisco Jones, both of whom are from Detroit and who, along with Baquan Sledge and Darius Sledge, were indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 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 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. The objective is not to stack up defendants in prison but have the largest impact possible, he added. In turn, lives are being destroyed, families are torn apart and communities are stretched to their breaking point. The indictment alleged that the following individuals conspired to sell methamphetamine: Uzziel Lucero Garcia, a/k/a O Girl, a/k/a Uzzi, age 25, Arizona, Allan Gordon Widmayer, a/k/a Woody, age 57, Minot, North Dakota, Corey James Baker, age 50, Sheyenne, North Dakota, Nathan James Smith, age 40, Fort Totten, North Dakota, Charlsie Marie Walking Elk, age 36, Tokio, North Dakota. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Federal authorities say five people are accused in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that brought more than 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 Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children. 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. 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. They are preying on Native Americans who suffer from addiction, he added. All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The U.S. Attorney Office in North Dakota was made aware of the case last summer, Wrigley said. Authorities say other drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana, and morphine pills were also seized in the bust. Fargo, ND, USA / The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. The South Dakota Attorney Generals Office has charged Travis Maho, Alex Nimmor, Duane Apple, Keith Laframboise, Orlyn Anderson, Tabitha Range, Chris Luke, Zack Franzen, and Christopher Tomac in connection with this investigation. Cases involving different organizations and conspiracies moving things narcotics in, again largely opioids. 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. Out of 390 nationwide cases that were investigated during this period, 51 are linked to overdose poisonings. 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. He said evidence suggests defendants used violence, threats, firearms and sex to force people to join the gang. A controlled buy and a search warrant on Widmayers house yielded more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine and more than $32,000 in cash. Agencies involved in this effort include the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. 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. Weve had witnesses shot. 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. ", "This indictment paints a tragic picture of a coordinated distribution effort to push this poison across tribal lands," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. Authorities allege that Jamale White has made a habit of traveling to and from North Dakota from Michigan to engage in drug trafficking. 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. 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. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. 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 U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says about 30 more people have been indicted charges in addition to the 26 defendants charged in federal 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.. Copyright 2022 KVLY. All arrested defendants are pending trial, with the exceptions of Barker, Bell, Hunter, and Schumacher, each of whom has pleaded guilty. Brothers Baquan Sledge and Darius Sledge are accused of leading that drug operation that started in 2015, according to court documents. Authorities say Baker had received up to 3 pounds of meth per month from Widmayer and Garcia since 2018. The suspects used social media heavily to communicate with each other and brag about their profits, Wrigley said. 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. More than 11,000 Fentanyl pills seized in ND; Three arrested, Mother arrested for leaving children home alone to go to gym, police say, Police: Man shipped $3 million worth of fentanyl to restaurant, Army identifies 3 soldiers killed in Alaska helicopter crash, Murder charge changed to manslaughter in Foster Co. fatal, Clean Slate Act would seal records for non-violent offenders, Mr. Food Cheesy Bacon Pierogi Bake - May 1, Mosque Fire Suspect Arrested and Charged - May 1. 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. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. Sign up today! Wrigley suggested Rambus and his brother, Reuben, started drug operations in North Dakota before Reuben Rambus was shot in late 2016 in Detroit. As part of the initiative, more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and nearly 980 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized during a nationwide enforcement activity between May 23 and September 8, 2022. Larry Owens III, 25, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, 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. 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. 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 investigation indicated that the methamphetamine came from Baker through Charlsie Walking Elk. 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 from Detroit, as suspected ring leaders of the Reub gang, which allegedly trafficked tens of millions of dollars worth of fentanyl and oxycodone pills to the Fort Berthold, Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations in North Dakota. Privacy Policy / Trademark Policy / Copyright Policy / Refund Policy, or Indictments have not been unsealed for the two men because charges havent been brought against 24 other possible defendants, Wrigley said. 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. Media Notification: Assistant US Attorneys Stock and Conroy are available for comments at 11:00 a.m., November 9, 2021 at 701-297-7400. Widmayer was found to have 30 pounds of meth and $32,000 cash at his house in Minot, prosecutors said. Law enforcement officials in Michigan informed Wrigley his office is investigating one of the most violent gangs in Detroit. Also, 129 of those investigations are linked to social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and TikTok. With this in mind, its important that we continue educating our families and friends on the deadly consequences of this toxic drug.. At least 8 people have already pleaded guilty. Twenty-two men and women accused of dealing methamphetamine and heroin in northwest North Dakota had their names made public Monday. Bakers sources were identified as "Woody" from Minot and "O Girl" from Arizona, later identified as defendants Allan Widmayer and Uzziel Garcia. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Through the investigation, pills that would typically run between $10-$15 somewhere else, dealers could charge up to $100 in North Dakota.
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