Fairbanks Woman Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Heroin and Methamphetamine Trafficking in the Interior

Fairbanks, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a Fairbanks woman was sentenced in federal court in Fairbanks for one count of trafficking heroin and methamphetamine.

Maria Laren Henry, 31, of Fairbanks, Alaska, was sentenced on Friday by Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline, to 70 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Hattan, who prosecuted the case, Henry’s drug trafficking came to authorities’ attention on July 12, 2016, after the defendant caused a single vehicle accident in Fairbanks, Alaska, at around 10 o’clock that Tuesday morning. The defendant, driving at a high rate of speed on Chena Pump Road, crossed the centerline and veered into oncoming traffic, nearly hitting three vehicles, and then crossed the adjoining bike path and struck several mailboxes. The defendant was transported by ambulance to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for medical attention, where the defendant was found in possession of 27.5 grams of heroin and 21.5 grams of pure methamphetamine. Specifically, the heroin was inside a plastic container that the defendant was clutching in her hand and the methamphetamine was discovered inside her when medical professionals prepared her for surgery. Thereafter, the Alaska State Troopers Fairbanks Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (AST SDEU) obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s impounded vehicle and found inside, among other things, a loaded .9mm handgun in the defendant’s jacket pocket, 100 clear plastic baggies resembling the baggie containing methamphetamine that was removed from the defendant’s body on July 12, a cell phone containing numerous incriminating text messages and other information, prescription pills belonging to a third party, as well as ample indicia of heroin and other drug use.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Beistline noted the defendant’s extensive criminal history, including a prior drug offense involving the defendant trying to hit a cop with her car and several 2016 burglary charges that arose in the Fairbanks and North Pole area.

Acting U.S. Attorney Schroder also wishes to commend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Alaska State Troopers Fairbanks Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit for their investigation of this case.