FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 29, 2007
WYONA HELEN MORRISON SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on November 29, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, WYONA HELEN MORRISON, a 28-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. MORRISON was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 188 months
- Special Assessment: $100
- Forfeiture: $39,000
- Supervised Release: 5 years
MORRISON was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On February 5, 2007, MORRISON and another individual were arrested by the Central Montana Drug Task Force (CMDTF). When interviewed, MORRISON admitted to possessing approximately one and a half pounds of methamphetamine secreted in the right rear interior panel of her vehicle.
A search warrant later conducted on this vehicle resulted in the seizure of 720.5 grams of methamphetamine. MORRISON identified her suppliers by the names that the two men went by, one of which was later identified as Manuel Ramos, and MORRISON stated that they were staying at her mobile home. She also advised that she had seen the two in possession of large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine. She had been enlisted by one of the men to distribute the drugs in the Great Falls area.
The methamphetamine seized from MORRISON'S vehicle consisted of two separate exhibits. Exhibit one's listed weight was 482.1 grams and exhibit two's listed weight was 234.4 grams.
On March 12, 2007, results were received from the DEA Western Laboratory. Exhibit one contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 42.0% purity, exhibit two contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 49.6% purity.
On February 6, 2007, the Ramos and the other individual that had been staying at MORRISON'S mobile home were arrested on state drug charges. Agents had received information that Ramos and the other individual were in possession of a large quantity of drugs and currency. A state search warrant was obtained. A search of MORRISON'S mobile home resulted in the seizure of 510.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 1,063 grams of cocaine, and $29,800 in U.S. currency.
The narcotics seized from the search warrant conducted at MORRISON'S residence consisted of three exhibits, all located in a bedroom. Exhibit one's listed weight was 280.1 grams (suspected methamphetamine). Exhibit two's listed weight was 1063.7 grams (suspected cocaine). Exhibit three's listed weight was 230.8 grams (suspected methamphetamine).
On March 12, 2007, results were received from the DEA Western Laboratory. Exhibit one was determined to consist entirely of cutting agents used to extend quantities of the marketable narcotic. By adding "cut" to methamphetamine, the distributor reduces the purity of the product but increases the amount or weight. As drugs are generally priced and sold based upon weight, not purity, this process generates more income for the distributor. Exhibit two contained cocaine hydrochloride at 90.3% purity, and Exhibit three contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 47.6% purity.
On March 22, 2007, Ramos provided a statement regarding his narcotic involvement with MORRISON. He stated that prior to his arrest, he traveled with MORRISON throughout Montana while she distributed methamphetamine to several individuals. Ramos also stated that he took two pounds of methamphetamine with them in a Ziploc bag and a black garbage bag.
Ramos further stated that he and MORRISON first traveled to Missoula to meet MORRISON'S brother. He stated that MORRISON'S brother met them at the Comfort Inn in Missoula. Ramos stated that during the transaction with MORRISON'S brother, he (Ramos) retrieved a pound of methamphetamine from the bathroom and gave it to MORRISON'S brother.
According to records provided by the Comfort Inn in Missoula, Ramos checked into the Comfort Inn on January 24, 2007, and checked out on January 25, 2007. According to the receipt, two adults checked into the room and the registered vehicle was a Chevy Blazer. On May 1, 2007, MORRISON'S brother provided a statement to CMDTF agents which confirmed that he had received a pound of methamphetamine from Ramos at a hotel in Missoula approximately three or four months prior to the date of the interview. MORRISON'S brother indicated that MORRISON was present during the transaction.
Ramos also stated that he and MORRISON traveled to Billings, where they met MORRISON'S then boyfriend and another unknown male individual at the Ramada Inn in Billings. Ramos stated that MORRISON provided the unknown male individual one pound of methamphetamine.
Guest registrations from the Ramada Inn in Billings confirmed that MORRISON checked into the Ramada Inn on January 22, 2007, and checked out January 24, 2007. According to the receipt, two adults occupied the above-mentioned room.
Ramos pled guilty to federal charges and has been sentenced.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that MORRISON will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, MORRISON does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Central Montana Drug Task Force.
