Nathaniel Jansen Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 03, 2010 |
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings on February 3, 2010, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, NATHANIEL JANSEN, a resident of Billings, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Sentencing is set for May 5, 2010. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
Approximately mid-2006, FBI Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force members began obtaining information suggesting an organization that involved JANSEN was responsible for distributing large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine in Billings.
In early 2008, agents began interviewing co-conspirators and taking investigative actions aimed at dismantling the organization.
Utilizing an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS), an FBI Undercover Employee (UCE) was introduced to JANSEN in August of 2008. Subsequently, the UCE arranged to purchase methamphetamine from or through JANSEN on the following occasions:
- August 8, 2008 (3.5 grams net; 42.5 percent purity; 1.4 grams actual drug);
- August 13, 2008 (6.9 grams net; 28.7 percent purity; 1.9 grams actual drug);
- February 10, 2009 (3.4 grams net; 40.4 percent purity; 1.3 grams actual drug);
- February 11, 2009 (3.2 grams – uncontrolled); and,
- February 17, 2009 (3.0 grams – uncontrolled).
On March 4, 2009, JANSEN was arrested with 5.4 grams of methamphetamine (36.3 percent pure), or 1.9 grams of actual methamphetamine. JANSEN admitted that between 2007 and 2009, he obtained approximately one to one and a half pounds (1 to 1½) of methamphetamine from Chester Secrist, Shimmeri Selph, and others for redistribution. The amount of methamphetamine JANSEN possessed with intent to distribute exceeded 500 grams of a mixture of methamphetamine. In addition, JANSEN has admitted that he possessed a firearm during the time he was distributing methamphetamine.
Secrist and Selph pled guilty to federal charges and are awaiting sentencing.
JANSEN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.