Ohio Woman sentenced for role in drug and money laundering conspiracy

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that, Brenna Sue Hauenstein of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced in federal court in Juneau for her role in a drug and money-laundering conspiracy.

            Hauenstein, 31, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.

            According to information presented to the court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, the defendant was a member of a large scale drug conspiracy operation where oxycodone was delivered to Juneau, Alaska, from sources located in Sacramento, California, through commercial package delivery services and drug couriers flying on commercial flights.  Oxycodone was delivered to other members of the conspiracy in Juneau for subsequent distribution and drug proceeds were sent back to other co-conspirators located in Sacramento, California, via bank deposits, wire remittance services, or drug couriers.  Hauenstein had lived in Juneau, Alaska, between January 2010 and June 2010, during which time she distributed oxycodone and laundered drug proceeds through local banks with the intent to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the drug proceeds.

            Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Burgess indicated the extreme seriousness of the offense and the substantial need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in such criminal behavior.

            Ms. Loeffler commended the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Port of Seattle Police Department, and the Juneau Police Department-Drug Metro Unit for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the above listed defendants.