The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on November 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, SUSAN ELLEN FASSLER, a 42-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. FASSLER was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 180 months

Special Assessment: $ 100

Supervised Release: 4 years

FASSLER was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

In approximately April 2010, officers of the Great Falls Police Department began to investigate a group of people in Great Falls who were involved in distributing methamphetamine. As part of the investigation, the police interviewed various witnesses.

On August 9, 2010, a confidential informant advised an officer that FASSLER and "John Doe" lived together at FASSLER's residence in Great Falls. Around that same date, an anonymous caller told the officer that FASSLER and "John Doe" were distributing methamphetamine.

In September 2010, another individual was interviewed as a part of the investigation. That person stated that, between February and approximately September 9, 2010, the person traveled to Spokane on multiple occasions. The person stated that he/she obtained large amounts of methamphetamine in Spokane, transported the drug to Great Falls, then distributed the drug to other drug dealers in Great Falls. The person stated that, between February 2010 and the date of the interview, the person distributed methamphetamine to FASSLER and "John Doe". The person stated that, during the time period of February to September 9, 2010, the person saw "John Doe" and FASSLER in possession of approximately one pound of methamphetamine.

On November 17, 2010, FASSLER was interviewed and admitted that "John Smith" began to live with her and "John Doe" in the summer of 2010. She admitted that "John Smith" sold drugs from her residence. FASSLER also admitted that she introduced people to "John Smith" so that "John Smith" could sell them methamphetamine. FASSLER stated that "John Smith" sold methamphetamine in quantities of one-half gram to one-eighth ounce to his customers. FASSLER said "John Smith" serviced between eight and 12 customers a day during the time "John Smith" lived at FASSLER's residence.

FASSLER also admitted that she knew "John Smith's" source of supply for methamphetamine was the individual identified in paragraph number two above. FASSLER stated that she knew of at least three trips the individual made outside of Great Falls to obtain methamphetamine.

In January 2011, FASSLER was interviewed again. She stated that, while "John Doe" lived with her between September and November 17, 2010, he distributed an average of 7.5 grams of methamphetamine a day.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that FASSLER will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, FASSLER does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Great Falls Police Department.

 

 

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