Leader of Anchorage Drug Conspiracy Sentenced to Prison

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Toa Danh “Tony” Ly, 45, resident of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced on Friday, December 2, by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to 60 months in prison, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and money laundering conspiracy.

According to court documents and arguments made during Friday’s sentencing hearing, starting in the summer of 2014, law enforcement began investigating several individuals implicated in the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin throughout Southcentral Alaska.  As part of that investigation, law enforcement made numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine and heroin from Ly and his co-conspirators.  Between May 2014 and January 2015, Ly accepted delivery of pounds of methamphetamine and heroin, distributing those products directly and through his co-conspirators in Anchorage, the Valley, and the Kenai Peninsula.  Proceeds from these drug sales were generally deposited into Wells Fargo bank accounts controlled by Ly.  In total, during the seven months that the conspiracy existed, Ly made more than $500,000 from his illegal sale of drugs.

Judge Gleason based her sentence in numerous factors, including the nature and circumstances of the defendant’s conduct.  According to Judge Gleason, the defendant’s sentence was appropriate because of the fact that the defendant was “the head guy [of the conspiracy], making tens of tens of thousands of dollars [with] lots of people working for him.”  Judge Gleason also noted the powerful impact the defendant’s drug sales had on the community, and discussed how the drugs distributed by the defendant “ruined lives,” and made parents who were addicted want to get high more than they wanted to be with their own children.  Judge Gleason stated that, the serious penalties required under the drug laws were in place precisely because of the harm that drugs do to families and communities.

Other defendants indicted as part of this investigation include:

• Renee Marie Davis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.  On Jan. 19, 2016, the court sentenced her to 72 months in prison.
• Adam Michael Cornelison pleaded guilty to use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  On Feb. 9, 2016, the court sentenced him to 60 months in prison.
• Kasey Martinez pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.  On July 18, 2016, the court sentenced her to 40 months in prison.
• Pao Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances.  Sentencing is set for Jan. 11, 2017.
• Robert Lee Rast pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.  Sentencing is set for Jan. 20, 2017.
• Tracey Trujillo pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.  A motion to continue judgment and sentencing to the week of January 10 has been filed.
• On Nov. 1, 2016, a jury found Murville Lampkin guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, money laundering conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, and possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute.  Sentencing is set for Feb. 15, 2017.

   

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon.