Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler, District of Alaska announced that a Juneau man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Ryan Budd Burnett, 28, of Juneau, Alaska, was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Leslie Longenbaugh on the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, contained in a one-count indictment. Mr. Burnett pled not guilty to the charge.

According to the indictment, in November 2009, Burnett conspired to with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine from Seattle, Washington to Juneau, Alaska.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4 million, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Magistrate Judge Longenbaugh set a trial date of December 27, 2010.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Port of Seattle Police Department-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force D-22 conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only 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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