Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on January 29, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, WINDY WERNER, a former resident of Billings, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. Sentencing is set for April 30, 2009. She is currently detained.

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

Beginning in late 2002 and through 2004, WERNER was involved in a conspiracy with Saul Nuno and other individuals to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.

WERNER assisted in unpackaging, repackaging, weighing, sorting and distributing marijuana during the period of the conspiracy. Over 100 kilograms of marijuana was involved in the conspiracy.

Nuno pled guilty to federal charges and is awaiting sentencing.

WERNER faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and 4 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

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

 

 

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