The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on May 23, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, DEANNA EDWARDS CASSIDY, a 44-year-old resident of Browning, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for September 12, 2011. She is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Officers of the Blackfeet Safe Trails Task Force (BSTTF) conducted an extensive investigation of numerous individuals trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine on the Blackfeet Reservation during 2009 and 2010. CASSIDY was identified as a conspirator in this illegal methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

BSTTF officers, using confidential informants, conducted and documented two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from CASSIDY on the Blackfeet Reservation.

On July 21, 2009, CASSIDY sold approximately .3 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.

On July 27, 2009, CASSIDY sold approximately .29 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.

The crystalline substances purchased from CASSIDY were subsequently submitted to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory for testing. The substances purchased from CASSIDY tested positive for methamphetamine.

When interviewed after her arrest, CASSIDY admitted first meeting co-conspirators and becoming involved in this conspiracy in early 2009. A co-conspirator came to Browning from Washington and CASSIDY purchased an 8-ball of methamphetamine for $300. CASSIDY also admitted to subsequently driving to Washington on three to four different occasions to purchase methamphetamine from this co-conspirator. CASSIDY would return to Montana and distribute a portion of this methamphetamine, and also use some personally. CASSIDY also admitted to twice receiving $600 from another co-conspirator, going to meet other co-conspirators to purchase methamphetamine, and then delivering the purchased methamphetamine to the co-conspirator that had fronted her the money. CASSIDY admitted that at least two individuals worked under her as "meth runners." CASSIDY admitted that during the course of this conspiracy she purchased approximately five ounces of methamphetamine from co-conspirators.

CASSIDY 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 at least 4 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Blackfeet Safe Trails Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

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

 

 

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