Nicholas Vassallo | U.S. Department of Justice
Oneil Anthony Findley, a 28-year-old resident of Jackson, Wyoming, was found guilty by a federal jury on December 11. The charges included attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense, and drug conspiracy. The trial spanned three days under the supervision of U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin.
The investigation into Findley's activities involved agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the United States Postal Inspection Service. They discovered that cocaine was being mailed to Jackson as part of a suspected drug distribution network. A package containing over a pound of cocaine addressed to Findley’s P.O. Box under an alias was intercepted by postal inspectors. Findley attempted to collect the package and was subsequently detained for questioning.
Findley denied knowledge of the cocaine in the package but provided conflicting statements regarding the alias used and the sender's identity. Evidence presented at trial included phone data showing communication between Findley and the sender, his checks on shipment status via the United States Post Office website, and discussions about narcotics distribution with others.
Acting United States Attorney Eric Heimann commented on the conviction: “This conviction makes it clear that drug traffickers will be prosecuted and punished for poisoning Wyoming communities. I want to thank the Postal Inspection Service and DCI for their work on this investigation.”
Bryan Musgrove, Inspector-in-Charge of USPIS Denver Division, stated: “United States Postal Inspectors are dedicated to maintaining the sanctity of trust placed in the US Mail. We will aggressively pursue anyone who uses the US Mail to transport and distribute deadly drugs which impacts the safety of postal employees and postal customers. We thank our law enforcement partners for working with us to combat these crimes in hopes of making our communities a safer place to live and work.”
Findley's sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2025. He could face up to 44 years in federal prison along with three years to life of supervised release, fines up to $2.25 million, and a $300 special assessment.
The case was investigated by both the United States Postal Inspection Service and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold led prosecution efforts.
