FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 27, 2008
WYLYNN JEAN SHAMBO PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on March 27, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, WYLYNN JEAN SHAMBO, a 29-year-old resident of Hays, pled guilty to attempted possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Sentencing is set for June 30, 2008. She is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On October 24, 2005, a package containing 27 grams of methamphetamine was erroneously sent to the home of John Doe, who lives near Hays. The package was intended for delivery to an individual named only as "Nevada." John Doe opened the package, saw that it contained contraband, and gave it the Fort Belknap Police Department.
On October 25 and 26, 2005, SHAMBO made three visits to John Doe's home and tried to obtain the package. The Tri-Agency Drug Task Force was advised of SHAMBO'S efforts.
A task force officer later interviewed SHAMBO. She stated that she was contacted by C.S. and R.S., the intended recipients of the package. SHAMBO stated that she was told of the package's illegal contents. She was further advised that if she obtained the package and returned it to C.S. and R.S., she would be paid $50. SHAMBO also admitted that when she attempted to obtain the package from John Doe, she ultimately hoped to return the package to C.S. or R.S. in exchange for the $50 promised to her.
A Drug Enforcement Administration chemist analyzed the methamphetamine delivered to John Doe. The chemist found the substance contained more than five grams of actual or pure methamphetamine.
SHAMBO faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to the maximum of 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and 4 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Fort Belknap Police Department, the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
