(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced Thursday that an Anchorage man has been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges, arising from the seizure of over 16 pounds of heroin in Anchorage.

Don Deviet Frye Sr., 53, of Anchorage, was named in the indictment charging him with attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.  Frye’s arraignment hearing was held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.

According to the criminal complaint, a suspicious package was intercepted on Nov. 6, 2018, originating from “David Johnson” in California, to be delivered to “Robert Johnson” in Anchorage.  The package weighed approximately 27 pounds and was postmarked with $168.95 in postage.  A trained narcotics detector dog examined the package and subsequently indicated the presence of controlled substances.  A search warrant was obtained and executed on the package, and located inside were two “Christmas-themed” cardboard boxes that contained approximately 7,638.94 grams of heroin.

On Nov. 7, 2018, law enforcement officers conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the intended address, and observed Frye receive and take the package inside the residence.  Once law enforcement received indication that the package had been opened, officers converged on and secured the residence, where Frye was the sole occupant at the time.  At the time of his arrest, Frye was in possession of a torn plastic baggie, a glass pipe, and a knife. 

If convicted, Frye faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and a maximum of up to life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $10 million, for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment.  Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants. 

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Alaska Wildlife Trooper Aircraft Section and air asset, HELO3, and the State of Alaska Department of Corrections K-9 conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina M. Sherman.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

US Department of Justice - District of Alaska
www.doj,gov

 

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