Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a Wrangell man was indicted on June 21, 2011, by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for one count of manufacturing a controlled substance on federal property controlled by the U.S. Forest Service.

The one count indictment named Jeffery R. Cox, 36, a resident of Wrangell, as the sole defendant. Cox was arraigned on July 5, 2011, in federal court in Juneau before United States Magistrate Judge Leslie C. Longenbaugh. Cox was released on conditions pending trial.

Deputy Criminal Chief Attorney Frank V. Russo, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the indictment of Cox.

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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