Anchorage Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Drug Charges

ANCHORAGE—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on March 18, 2009, Xavier Miguel Collins, of Anchorage, Alaska, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on one charge of possession of crack and heroin with intent to distribute.

The one-count indictment named Collins, age 19, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Collins possessed crack and heroin with the intent to distribute both drugs.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Christine M. Thoreson, who is prosecuting the case, indicated that the law provides for a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Law, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses, the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant, and other factors.

The Anchorage Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. SAUSA Thoreson is one of two prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who are funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.