The final defendant in a Southeast Alaska drug trafficking case has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to traffic drugs and launder money. The case is connected to a transnational drug trafficking enterprise.
Court documents reveal that on August 24, 2022, U.S. Postal Inspectors intercepted a package addressed to Patricia Seal-Uttke in Ketchikan containing nearly 500 grams of heroin and over 430 grams of methamphetamine. A controlled delivery led to the arrest of co-conspirator Larry Marsden.
Seal-Uttke was part of a larger operation directed by an inmate in California. Co-conspirator Karly Fuller recruited individuals for the enterprise, which shipped controlled substances from California and other parts of Alaska to Sitka and Ketchikan for distribution. Authorities seized parcels with illegal fentanyl pills and large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine during various operations.
Between June 2022 and July 2023, Seal-Uttke, Fuller, Marsden, Julia Brusell, and Stormy Cleveland attempted to launder over $150,000 through various means including money orders and wire transfers.
Seal-Uttke faces up to 20 years in prison with sentencing scheduled for September 24, 2025. Other co-defendants have also pleaded guilty:
- Karly Fuller will be sentenced on September 3, 2025.
- Larry Marsden received a sentence of 66 months' imprisonment.
- Stormy Cleveland was sentenced to 135 months' imprisonment.
- Mario Klanott will be sentenced on September 9, 2025.
- Douglas Vanmeter is set for sentencing on August 6, 2025.
- Sara Orr will be sentenced on September 9, 2025.
- Julia Brusell received time served with two years supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney William Narus announced the development. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Clymer from New York has been appointed as Special Attorney due to the recusal of the District of Alaska's office from this case.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division and Anchorage District Office among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alana Weber, Stephan Collins, and Chris Schroeder are handling prosecution duties.
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