Man Sentenced For Depositing Money Supporting The Distribution Of Methamphetamine

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that on March 5, 2015, Ou Chiew Saetern, 36, was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.  Saetern was indicted on February 20, 2013 and plead guilty on January 27, 2014.  He has been in-custody since December 2013.

According to the documents filed with the court, Saetern conspired with others to transfer the proceeds of methamphetamine sales from Alaska to California.  In furtherance of the scheme, between January 2011 and May 2011, Saetern made four deposits to banks in Alaska totaling $27,500.  Saetern knew that the money represented drug trafficking proceeds obtained as a result of the unlawful distribution of methamphetamine.  The money was withdrawn by other members of the conspiracy in California within a day or days of the deposits to keep the supply of controlled substances flowing.

Ms. Loeffler commends the Drug Enforcement Agency, Alaska State Troopers, and the IRS Criminal Investigation for their investigation of this case.