Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on June 17, 2010, Hye Jeong Lee, a/k/a Erica Lee, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of possessing heroin with intent to distribute, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The United States is also seeking to forfeit $22,329 in U.S. currency, a 2001 Mercedes automobile, and a Taurus .45 caliber handgun.

The four-count indictment names Lee, age 24, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on June 3, 2010, Lee possessed with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine and 100 grams of heroin. The indictment further alleges that on the same day, Lee possessed a firearm in furtherance of the above-mentioned drug-trafficking crimes.

Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly R. Sayers-Fay, who presented the case to the grand jury, stated that the defendant, if convicted of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Lifetime supervised release is also possible for this offense. If convicted of possessing 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute, Lee faces a sentence of between 5 and 40 years, a $4 million fine, and lifetime supervised release. For using, possessing or carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, the penalty is five years imprisonment which runs consecutive to any other sentence.

The Anchorage Police Department conducted the investigation the led to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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