Anchorage, Alaska - Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Bernard Yamura White, 36, of Anchorage was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison for charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses. White, a third-time felony drug offender, also received a consecutive three-year sentence for violating his prior terms of supervised release by committing the charged crimes. Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the 18-year sentence on White.
On Aug. 22, 2016, White attempted to ship a parcel containing $59,610 in drug proceeds from Anchorage to an address in California. On Jan. 12, 2017, White attempted to ship another parcel containing $30,980 in drug proceeds from Anchorage to another address in California.
On Feb. 8, 2017, White was contacted at a traffic stop by law enforcement officers in Anchorage and was found in possession of 118 grams of heroin, 59 grams of powder cocaine, and 35 grams of crack cocaine. White’s residence was searched later that day, and law enforcement officers found 786 grams of methamphetamine, 1318 grams of heroin, 176 grams of cocaine, and 837 grams of marijuana. In addition, the officers found 11 firearms, including rifles, semi-automatic pistols, and shotguns. White is a felon and prohibited from possession of firearms due to his two prior federal drug trafficking felonies.
At White’s sentencing hearing, a former neighbor of White’s asked to speak with the court, and expressed concern for the community that White had been convicted of three drug trafficking offenses and after significant time in prison still continued to engage in the same dangerous conduct.
Before imposing a sentence, Judge Beistline, who had sentenced White on one of his prior convictions, recounted White’s history with the court. Judge Beistline referenced the current opioid epidemic in Alaska, and the number of drug overdose deaths caused by drug traffickers like White, who was motivated by profiting off other’s addictions. Judge Beistline compared drug traffickers like White to domestic terrorists: “We must protect our community from those that want to destroy us." Among the many things Judge Beistline took into account when fashioning White’s sentence was his conclusion that White was a danger to the community.
Acting U.S. Attorney Schroder commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives, and the Anchorage Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mr. White.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
