Ethete woman sentenced for distribution of methamphetamine

Beatrice Irene Willis, 52, of Ethete, Wyoming, was sentenced to 65 months’ imprisonment with three years’ supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Dec. 19 in Cheyenne.

According to court documents, in October of 2023, the Safe Trails Task Force, led by the FBI, received information that Willis was selling controlled substances from her residence in Ethete. On Jan. 19, agents conducted a controlled buy of two ounces of methamphetamine from Willis. During a follow-up interview, she admitted to regularly distributing controlled substances on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

The Safe Trails Task Force investigates drug trafficking on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and in surrounding communities, with an emphasis on identifying and stopping the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. In addition to the FBI, task force members include the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the Riverton Police Department, the Lander Police Department, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

Willis was indicted on May 16 and pleaded guilty on June 25. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted this case.

Case No. 24-CR-00077