The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on April 11, 2012, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, GUADALUPE RODRIGUEZ III, a 24-year-old resident of Hardin, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for July 11, 2012. He is currently detained.

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

During an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking on the Crow Indian Reservation and in the Hardin area, RODRIGUEZ was identified by law enforcement as a distributor of methamphetamine.

Approximately 20 individuals were interviewed during the investigation. One individual admitted purchasing $30 quantities of methamphetamine five or six times during the year and a half period that he/she knew RODRIGUEZ. Another individual was present approximately 10 times when RODRIGUEZ fronted a third individual 1/4 to 1/2 ounce quantities of methamphetamine to sell.

Another individual identified RODRIGUEZ's source of supply as an individual in Lodge Grass and stated that RODRIGUEZ would obtain an 8-ball or two 8-balls of methamphetamine from that source every day. Another individual admitted purchasing 24 grams of methamphetamine from RODRIGUEZ during an 8-month period. RODRIGUEZ was identified as part of a group of individuals distributing methamphetamine on the Crow Indian Reservation and in the Hardin area.

During the investigation, RODRIGUEZ was interviewed. RODRIGUEZ admitted that he first obtained methamphetamine from an individual who pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking crime in January 2010. Soon thereafter, RODRIGUEZ moved into that individual's house. RODRIGUEZ labeled himself more of a user of methamphetamine than a distributor, but RODRIGUEZ did admit that he started selling methamphetamine on the Crow Indian Reservation and in the Hardin area soon after January 2010. He estimated that he sold bindles of methamphetamine every 2 or 3 days for $25 to $50 a piece. The individual he lived with would front the methamphetamine to him, and then he would sell the methamphetamine and pay a "pre-established amount." RODRIGUEZ estimated that he sold $200 to $300 worth of methamphetamine per week for two months. He claimed that he made a little over $1,000 from the sale of methamphetamine during the two month period.

RODRIGUEZ faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

 

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