A Sitka couple has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for their role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Ketchikan, Alaska. Luke Roderick Lowe, 38, and Marguarite Jean Keicher, 39, were sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess on October 17, 2016.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the couple pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Ketchikan. The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Ketchikan Police Department-Drug Unit, found that the couple had been distributing methamphetamine from various sources who had obtained the drugs from the Lower 48.
The couple’s residence was searched, and law enforcement found 72.9 grams of actual methamphetamine and several loaded firearms, including two semi-auto handguns, a revolver, and an assault-style rifle. The defendants also forfeited $1,524.00 in U.S. Currency and the firearms involved in the offense.
During the sentencing, Judge Burgess emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need for treatment. The couple has been in federal custody since April 2015, with Lowe being held since May 1, 2015, and Keicher since April 22, 2015.
The United States Attorney, Karen L. Loeffler, commended the agencies involved in the investigation, stating that their efforts led to the successful prosecution of the defendants. The case highlights the ongoing issue of methamphetamine distribution in Alaska and the need for continued efforts to combat drug trafficking in the state.
The sentences handed down to Lowe and Keicher serve as a reminder of the severe consequences of participating in drug distribution conspiracies. The couple will serve 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The case is a significant victory for law enforcement and a step towards reducing the prevalence of methamphetamine in Alaska.
In addition to the prison sentence, the couple’s forfeiture of $1,524.00 in U.S. Currency and the firearms involved in the offense demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations. The investigation and prosecution of this case are a testament to the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies to combat drug trafficking in Alaska.
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Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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