California Man sentenced to 48 month in prison for roll in drug conspiracy

Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a California resident was sentenced in Anchorage to federal prison for drug conspiracy.

Charles M. Ferris, 61, of Sacramento, California, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 48 months prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who prosecuted the case, the charges arose from a joint investigation including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Port of Seattle Police Department and the Juneau Police Department-Drug Metro Unit, which were investigating the importation of oxycodone into Juneau, Alaska.  In July 2010, Ferris and others conspired to import oxycodone from Sacramento, California, to Juneau, Alaska.  On July 4, 2010, Ferris sent a drug courier carrying over 500 80mg oxycodone pills to Juneau on a commercial airline.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Burgess emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter the defendant and others as reasons for imposing the 48 month prison sentence.

            Ms. Loeffler commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Port of Seattle Police Department and the Juneau Police Department - Drug Metro Unit for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ferris.