Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on May 19, 2010, after deliberating for approximately one hour, a federal jury of 4 men and eight women found William G. Pariseau , of Talkeetna, Alaska, guilty of attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in Alaska.

Pariseau, age 67, was tried before Chief United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline in Anchorage.

According to Assistant United States Attorney James Barkeley, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that an airport interdiction team in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport contacted Pariseau while he was waiting to board a connecting flight to Anchorage on October 15, 2008. Earlier that day, Pariseau had flown into SEATAC from Tucson, Arizona. After deplaning from the first class cabin on the Tucson flight, law enforcement officers followed Pariseau to the boarding area for his connecting flight. After observing that Pariseau was walking stiffly and appeared to have unnatural bulges under his pant legs, law enforcement officers made contact with Pariseau. A search of his person revealed he was carrying approximately 2.3 pounds of methamphetamine strapped to his legs with elastic bandages. Pariseau was then arrested.

Judge Beistline scheduled sentencing for Pariseau on August 3, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. Due to the fact that Pariseau was convicted of possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $4 million, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history of the defendant.

Pariseau continues to remain in custody pending sentencing.

Ms. Loeffler commended the Alaska State Troopers, the Anchorage Office of the DEA, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport HIDTA/Interdiction Group.

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