FARGO - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Jan. 30, 2014, David Ramiro Cerna, Jr., 37, of Moorhead Minn., pleaded guilty during the third day of trial to aiding and abetting the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines and marijuana. U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson is presiding over the case.
The conspiracy involved the transportation of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from Texas that was distributed in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Co-conspirators also obtained large quantities of marijuana from the Minneapolis area and distributed it throughout the local area.
Cerna Jr. faces 10 years to life in prison. There have also been 13 defendants now convicted in association with this organization.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Fargo and Moorhead Police Departments, and Cass County Drug Task Force.
Sentencing is set for April 14, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. U.S. District Court.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Myers and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Shasky are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
