Kera Dawn Evans Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 22, 2013 |
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session on November 22, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, Kera Dawn Evan, a/k/a Kera Dawn Hoots, a 30-year-old resident of Big Timber, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for March 13, 2014. She is currently detained.
In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
In early 2013, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (MDCI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Sidney Police Department began to investigate a drug trafficking network operating in Sidney and Fairview, as well as other locations in Montana. The investigation revealed Evans was involved in that drug trafficking network.
On March 1, 2013, Evans sold one ounce of purported methamphetamine to an undercover MDCI agent in a transaction which occurred in Bozeman. A DEA chemist later analyzed the substance and concluded it contained 28.1 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On March 6, 2013, Evans sold one ounce of purported methamphetamine to an undercover MDCI agent in a transaction that occurred in Livingston. A DEA chemist later analyzed the substance and concluded it contained 27.9 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On March 11, 2013, Evans sold approximately 55 grams of purported methamphetamine to an undercover MDCI agent in a transaction that occurred in Billings. A DEA chemist later analyzed the substance and concluded it contained 54.6 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On March 14, 2013, Evans agreed to sell more methamphetamine to the undercover MDCI agent. Thereafter, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in which Evans was driving in Columbus. The officers seized approximately 223 grams of suspected methamphetamine from the vehicle. A DEA chemist later analyzed the substance and concluded it contained approximately 219 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Evans faces possible penalties of prison time, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.
"Today’s change of plea is a product of diligent work by the very dedicated agents who have been joined together under the banner of Project Safe Bakken. As the work of this team—which includes law enforcement professionals from all branches of local, state, and federal law enforcement—goes forward, the people of Montana and North Dakota can expect more cases from affected communities. That is the mission and commitment of Project Safe Bakken,” said U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter.
This investigation was a part of Project Safe Bakken, which is a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); the U.S. Border Patrol; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID); the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (MDCI); the Montana Highway Patrol; the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI); the Billings Police Department; the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office; the Sidney Police Department; the Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office; and the Idaho State Police.