Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that 33-year-old Christopher Thomas Howard, a/k/a Indy, of Fairbanks, Alaska, has been sentenced on charges of distributing over 74.9 grams of “pure” methamphetamine (“ice”).

Court records state that Howard distributed large quantities of methamphetamine in Fairbanks while on supervised release from an 87-month sentence (later reduced to 70) that the federal court imposed in 2012 for being a felon in possession of a firearm and attempted distribution of large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine. Howard was arrested pursuant to a Criminal Complaint and then indicted on April 25, 2019.

According to the indictment, Howard distributed over 5 grams of ice to one individual on Nov. 15, 2018, and again on Dec. 6, 2018. On Jan. 3, 2019, Howard increased his distribution to over 50 grams of ice to the same individual stating “the meth was pure and not cut” and that he would be getting more soon. Lab reports indicate the quantity from the last buy in January was 55.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine.

The government argued that even relatively small amounts of meth can have disastrous impacts on Fairbanks and rural communities due to the smaller population and higher rates of drug abuse and addiction. Five grams of meth in Fairbanks harms a disproportionately larger segment of the population and is further amplified when the meth is pure. In fact, in imposing an 87-month sentence, Senior District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline emphasized that selling pure methamphetamine is nothing to be proud of and recognized Howard’s prior violent criminal history as justifying the sentence.    

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Alaska State Troopers, and the Fairbanks and North Pole Police Departments conducted the investigation leading to the sentence in this case.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Christopher Thomas Howard, a/k/a “Indy,” 33, of Fairbanks, has been federally indicted with three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.  Howard was arrested on April 5, 2019, based on a criminal complaint.    

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 3, 2019, Howard allegedly negotiated to sell two ounces of methamphetamine, agreeing to meet at Club Manchu in Fairbanks for the exchange.  During the exchange, Howard got into another vehicle and handed over two plastic baggies of methamphetamine.  Howard allegedly told the buyer that he had four ounces of methamphetamine left, that he had sold two pounds over the last couple of days, and that he should be getting more soon.  The subsequent investigation revealed that the two plastic baggies Howard distributed contained 55.2 grams of pure d-Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.  At Howard’s preliminary hearing on Friday, April 19, 2019, U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott A. Oravec found sufficient probable cause to continue detaining Howard to answer to the charges as stated in the criminal complaint. 

The indictment charges Howard with distributing methamphetamine on two additional occasions, on Nov. 15, 2018, and again on Dec. 6, 2018. 

If convicted, Howard faces a statutory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU), which is comprised of officers from the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), and the North Pole Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.

The charges in the indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.