United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Bismarck, North Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Melissa Rose Decoteau, a/k/a Melissa Rose Bobtail Bear, age 34, was indicted on July 16, 2019. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on Oct. 16, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that beginning at a time unknown, but no later than March 1, 2018, and continuing to June 17, 2018, Decoteau, knowingly and intentionally, combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The charge is merely an accusation and Decoteau is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Decoteau was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
