Anchorage Methamphetamine Dealers Indicted in Federal Court

ANCHORAGE—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that two Anchorage men were indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for conspiracy in relation to controlled substance trafficking and distribution of controlled substances.

Eric Allen Graham, a/k/a “Blanco,” 36, and Jayme Lee Fabel, 30, both residents of Anchorage, Alaska, were charged in a three-count indictment.

According to the indictment, Graham and Fabel conspired to distribute methamphetamine during August 2009. In a separate and independent act, Fabel distributed methamphetamine on September 29, 2009.

On April 22, 2011, the defendants were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith. Magistrate Judge Smith ordered that both defendants be detained in federal custody pending trial. The court set a trial date of May 23, 2011.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin E. White, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both for Graham. Fabel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $2 million, or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of each defendant.

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of Anchorage police officers and FBI agents, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. Ms. White is one of two prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who are funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for 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.