A Colorado woman has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs to Native American communities in Wyoming.
Their case highlights the ongoing fight against drug usage and trafficking on tribal territories.
Arrest of Suspects Near Wind River Reservation
Authorities stopped Dusty Harris and Thelma Faber near Shoshoni, Wyoming, in November 2023 after conducting an investigation into drug trafficking on the Wind River Reservation.
The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes suspected Harris of distributing cocaine.
Authorities suspected he was on his way to deliver another package from Colorado when they detained the two.
During the stop, deputies discovered 94 grams of methamphetamine, 34 grams of fentanyl, a scale, and other drug-related items in the vehicle.
Messages on their phones revealed that they had been trafficking drugs for several weeks, providing additional evidence of their involvement in the operation.
Sentencing and Rehabilitation Orders
In October, Faber received a 57-month federal prison sentence for narcotics possession with the intent to distribute.
Following her release, she will serve four years of supervised probation.
During this time, she will receive frequent drug testing, mental health therapy, and vocational training to help her rebuild her life.
Harris, who faced additional crimes, received a significantly harsher sentence of 142 months behind bars.
However, his attorney is appealing the ruling. FCI Phoenix is currently completing Faber’s term, while FCI Leavenworth in Kansas is imprisoning Harris.
Impact of Meth on Tribal Communities
The Wind River Reservation has a developing meth problem, prompting the Northern Arapaho tribe to announce a state of emergency for 2020.
This situation echoes larger concerns about methamphetamine usage in Native American communities across the United States.
According to a 2006 report by the National Congress of American Indians, meth has devastated native communities.
Native Americans have the highest rates of meth use in the country, causing significant health and social issues.
Federal agencies and courts continue to play an important role in prosecuting crimes that cross state lines and affect tribal territories.
