Two men indicted on federal narcotics charges

By Michelle Ruckdaschel

Pioneer Staff Writer

      A federal indictment issued last week alleges that two area men allegedly were distributing cocaine and crack cocaine on the White Earth and Red Lake reservations according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota.

      David James Bower, 36, of the White Earth Reservation and Todd Douglas Miller, 24, of Bemidji were both charged last week with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from about the early 1990s to this spring.

      In addition, Bower was charged with four counts of possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine while Miller was charged with one count of possession of crack cocaine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine.

      Federal agents arrested Bower Monday morning and he appeared later Monday before a federal magistrate in Bemidji. Miller remains a fugitive.

      Both men were charged in a sealed indictment returned by a federal grand jury May 3 after a lengthy and ongoing investigation. The indictment alleges that the men distributed drugs to minors, used juveniles to distribute drugs and sold drugs within 1,000 feet of a school and a public housing facility.

      According to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, Bower’s arrest Monday was the culmination of several years of work. The Sheriff’s Office called the investigation one of the longest lasting in recent Becker County and surrounding area history.

      “We feel that this cooperative effort will have a far-reaching impact on our war against illegal drug activity throughout the region,” Sheriff Tim Gordon stated in a news release. “The investigations will remain open and it is our anticipation that other individuals will be included in future arrests.”

      If convicted, Bower and Miller both face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for conspiracy and up to 20 years in prison for aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

      According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the case is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office; Becker County Sheriff’s Department; White Earth Police Department; and Red Lake Police Department.

      Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Hollenhorst is prosecuting the case.