Cocaine conviction marks final disposition in case charging 34 individuals

 

 

Bemidji Pioneer

 

U.S. Attorney Marty J. Jackley announced Thursday that a federal jury in Minneapolis has found Ramon Charles Sayers, aka Razor, of Red Lake, guilty of two charges relating to cocaine trafficking on the Red Lake Reservation.

Sayers was charged with two drug-related offenses – conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and use of a communication facility (telephone) in causing and facilitating the commission of a felony under the controlled substances act.

After a three-day trial, the jury voted to convict Sayers on both counts. He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and/or a $4 million fine on the conspiracy count, and a maximum possible sentence of four years and/or a $250,000 fine on the use of a communication facility count. The prosecution was handled by the South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office after the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office recused itself due to a conflict of interest.

This case began in early 2005, when law enforcement officials learned of a large-scale cocaine conspiracy operating on the Red Lake Reservation. Following a thorough and comprehensive investigation, federal prosecutors obtained indictments which ultimately named 34 individuals and charged each with conspiracy.

Twenty-six individuals pleaded guilty to the conspiracy offense:

-- Augustin Martinez-Miranda.

-- Gary Lee Strong, aka Baby Gar.

-- Frederick Alann Desjarlait Jr.

-- Micholas Avery Strong, aka Nick, aka Striz, aka Strizzle.

-- Gary Lee Head, , aka Big Gar.

-- Marida Dawn Seki, aka Missy.

-- William Antoine May Jr.

-- Joseph Jacob Thunder III, aka Jake.

-- Rochelle Lynn Strong, aka Shelly.

-- Ricky Lee Chaboyea.

-- Billy Joe Mason.

-- Alton Ryan Beaulieu.

-- Dasheena Jo Strong, aka Sheena, aka Sheen.

-- Brandon Lee Strong.

-- Marla Needham.

-- Tyrone Wayne Beaulieu.

-- Randy Matthew Sayers;

-- Barbara Ann Thunder.

-- Delores Jean Huerta, aka Delores Jean Auginash, aka Jeanie Aug.

-- Concha Edith Isham.

-- Leroy Alvis Garrigan Jr., aka Lee.

-- Michael Lee Sather, aka Deuce.

-- Mavis Jean Strong.

-- Fawn Ashley Beaulieu.

-- Michael David Seki.

-- Roland Jesse Roy.

In addition, six individuals pleaded guilty to the use of a communication facility offense:

-- Donald Roman Cook, aka Donnie Hamm, aka Hambone.

-- Austin Robert Head.

-- Janet Lisa Head, aka Jan.

-- Herbert Melvin May.

-- Robert Jeffrey VanWert

-- Dana Alphonse Oliver, aka Jambie.

The conspiracy charge against Loretta May Kingbird was dismissed upon the government’s motion.

“Today’s verdict caps an investigation which involved federal, state, municipal and tribal law enforcement agencies,” said Jackley. “Their cooperative efforts have put this drug conspiracy out of business and will hopefully make the Red Lake Reservation a safer place to live.”

Agencies involved in the investigation included the FBI, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Agency Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Red Lake Police Department, Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, and Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John Haak of Sioux Falls. Presentence investigations have been ordered for Sayers and all of those who previously entered guilty pleas. No sentencing dates have yet been set.