New Town Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 28, 2011 |
BISMARCK—United States Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on November 28, 2011, Francene K. Azure, 32, of New Town, North Dakota, pleaded guilty in United States District Court to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana and three charges of employment or use of person under 18 years of age in drug operations.
From September 2009 through June 2010 Azure took juveniles to a residence in New Town to assist in the distribution of marijuana on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. While at the residence, the juveniles would count money, count prescription pills, and roll marijuana joints. Azure would receive prescription medication and pills in exchange for bringing the juveniles to the residence.
The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000. Each count of employment or use of person under 18 years of age in drug operations carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Fort Berthold Agency and the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department.
Sentencing for Azure has been scheduled for February 16, 2012, in United States District Court in Bismarck, North Dakota, at 1:00 p.m.
Assistant United States Attorney Rick Volk is prosecuting the case.