Washington woman admits meth trafficking role in large-scale investigation centered on Crow Indian Reservation

BILLINGS — A Washington woman on Dec. 8 admitted her role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking investigation that was centered on the Crow Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

 Mariana Tyler Wallace, 23, of Okanogan, Washington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Wallace faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wallace was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, engaged in a large-scale, multiple-state, narcotics trafficking investigation centered on properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. Wallace is one of the individuals affiliated with the investigation.

The government alleged that individuals were living and storing meth at two residences on the Crow reservation. Co-conspirators from Washington were tasked with protecting the residence and distributing drugs. Wallace was one of those individuals who facilitated several drug transactions with another co-defendant.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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