Anchorage, Alaska – In a major blow to the illicit drug trade in rural Alaska, a 63-year-old Craig resident has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a large scale drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the small community of Craig, Alaska, and the surrounding communities of Prince of Wales Island.
Bradley Payton Grasser, 63, of Craig, Alaska, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 10 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down after Grasser pleaded guilty in July 2017 to methamphetamine conspiracy, and agreed to forfeit all rights to $89,703 in U.S. currency and 11 firearms, among other items, named in the forfeiture allegation.
According to court documents, starting in at least January 2014 and continuing until January 2017, Grasser coordinated and directed the distribution of methamphetamine on Prince of Wales Island for the conspiracy, as well as, collection of drug proceeds from co-conspirators. Specifically, Grasser arranged for methamphetamine to be mailed to co-conspirators at various addresses on Prince of Wales Island and in Ketchikan, from his source of supply in Washington State. Grasser would then use the drug proceeds to obtain more methamphetamine from his source of supply, for subsequent distribution on Prince of Wales Island.
The total amount of methamphetamine seized during the conspiracy was 1133.7 grams intended for distribution on Prince of Wales Island and in Ketchikan. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Grasser was in possession of $89,703 in drug proceeds and property that he obtained from his drug trafficking activities, which included 11 firearms, artwork, vessels, tenders, motorcycles, utility trailers, containers, and gun safes.
“Protecting the citizens of rural Alaska is a high priority for my office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder. “According to the 2010 U.S. Census Borough, the population of Craig is 1,201, which means the amount of drugs seized from Grasser would be enough for nearly one gram of methamphetamine, or approximately 10 dosage units for every single person in the community. The citizens of Craig, including the young people, are safer because of the efforts of the law enforcement agencies that investigated this case.”
A joint investigation by the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Craig Police Department, and Klawock Police Department led to the successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt.
The sentencing of Bradley Payton Grasser sends a strong message that the illicit drug trade will not be tolerated in rural Alaska. The efforts of law enforcement agencies in this case have made the communities of Prince of Wales Island and Ketchikan safer, and we will continue to work together to prevent the distribution of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.
This case is a prime example of the importance of interagency cooperation in combating the illicit drug trade. The partnership between the Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other law enforcement agencies has been instrumental in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.
Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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