New Town Woman Sentenced for Federal Drug Charges

BISMARCK—United States Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on April 19, 2012, Francene K. Azure, 33, of New Town, North Dakota, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana and three charges of employment or use of person under 18 years of age in drug operations. Azure pleaded guilty to the charges on November 28, 2011.

Judge Hovland sentenced Azure to two years and six months in federal prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Azure was ordered to pay $400 in special assessments to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

From September 2009 through June 2010, Azure took juveniles to a residence in New Town to assist in the distribution of marijuana on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. While at the residence, the juveniles would assist in packaging marijuana for sale and counted money. The juveniles also sold marijuana, or found purchasers of marijuana, for Azure and others involved in the distribution conspiracy. Azure would receive prescription medication and pills in exchange for bringing the juveniles to the residence.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Fort Berthold Agency, and the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk prosecuted the case.