Washington Man Found Guilty of Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fentanyl on Indian Reservation

Great Falls, Montana – A Washington man has been found guilty by a federal jury of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in communities in Hill County and on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. The defendant, Antonio Ledesma Rodriguez, also known as Uncle, was convicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of fentanyl after a three-day trial. Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least three years … Read more

Northern California Syndicate Members Convicted for Multi-Million Dollar Drug Operation, Including Fentanyl and Cocaine Seizures

SAN FRANCISCO, California – Three members of syndicates in Northern California have been convicted of multiple narcotics offenses after an eight-day trial, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The trial presented evidence from intercepted calls between April 2018 and February 2019 as part of a federal wiretap investigation into two drug suppliers in the East Bay. The intercepted calls revealed that the suppliers obtained drugs from sources in Mexico. Federal prosecutors showcased several significant drug seizures as evidence, including 8.8 pounds of fentanyl and heroin valued at up to $1.1 million, 18 pounds of methamphetamine, … Read more

Montana Arson Trial Unveils Twisted Fentanyl Addiction Connection: Defendant Accused of Setting Fires for ‘One More Fix’

POLSON, Montana – A trial began on Monday for accused arsonist Craig McCrea, who has been held on a $1 million bond since May 2022 in connection with four fires that occurred in July 2021. The largest of these fires, known as Boulder 2700, burned thousands of acres and forced evacuations in Finley Point. Prosecutors allege that McCrea started the fires to benefit his father, a firefighter for the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes. During the opening statements, Assistant Attorney General Thorin Geist told jurors that McCrea associated the smell of smoke with the opportunity to … Read more

Lawton Man Convicted of Aggravated Fentanyl Trafficking, Eluding Police: Split Decision Reached in County Jury Trial

LAWTON, Okla. — A Lawton man has been convicted of aggravated trafficking in fentanyl and endangering others while eluding police in Comanche County. The jury delivered a mixed verdict on Tuesday following a two-day trial in Judge Jay Walker’s courtroom. Ty Dontrell Howard, 27, was found guilty of the felony charges of aggravated trafficking in fentanyl and endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude police. However, he was acquitted of trafficking in methamphetamine and a misdemeanor count of failure to stop at a red light. Earlier felony charges of child endangerment by permitting the presence of … Read more