Bismarck Woman Sentenced in Meth Conspiracy

BISMARCK - US Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on March 20, 2017, Maisie Elizabeth Barnson, 37, Bismarck, ND, was sentenced before Chief US District Judge Daniel L. Hovland to serve 10 years in prison and five (5) years supervised release. Judge Hovland further ordered that Barnson pay a $300 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Barnson pled guilty to a three (3) count Superseding Indictment charging her with: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Beginning around January 2016, law enforcement officers were informed that Barnson was distributing methamphetamine throughout the Bismarck area. Search warrants were obtained for a hotel room as well as the residence where Barnson was living along with her brother and codefendant Matthew King. During the search of both locations, an estimated 1 kg of methamphetamine and $10,000 were discovered.

This case was investigated by the Bismarck Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Special Assistant US Attorney Dawn Deitz prosecuted the case.