Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on April 22, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, AVALINE YAZZIE, a 33-year-old resident of Browning, pled guilty to distribution of cocaine. Sentencing is set for August 6, 2009. YAZZIE is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On November 15, 2006, in Browning, a confidential informant, under the direction of the Blackfeet Safe Trails Task Force, conducted an undercover controlled purchase of cocaine from YAZZIE. The substance that was purchased from YAZZIE was later tested by the Drug Enforcement Administration Lab and confirmed to be cocaine.

YAZZIE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vince Carroll prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Blackfeet Safe Trails Task Force.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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