All Defendants Now Sentenced In Federal Casper Meth Conspiracy Case
The final three defendants in a five-member Casper methamphetamine ring were sentenced recently in federal court.
U.S. District Court Judge Skavdahl sentenced Cindy Noella Williams, William Floyd Hassock and Michael Andrew Brisson for their roles related to the conspiracy that operated from July 1, 2017, to March 15, according to court records.
Skavdahl sentenced Cindy Williams to 10 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The prosecution dismissed two other counts -- conspiracy to distribute the drugs and use of a telephone to facilitate the crime -- as part of her plea agreement in July.
He sentenced Hassock to 10 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Skavdahl also sentenced Brisson to 12 years seven months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release.
The prosecution dismissed single counts of use of a telephone facility to facilitate the crime for Hassock and Brisson as part of their plea deals.
The two other defendants -- Michael Burton Williams (no relation to Cindy Williams) and Julio Gasca-Nieto -- were sentenced earlier this year.
The case started a year ago when the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation was investigating a drug trafficking organization in Wyoming and Colorado, according to an affidavit filed in Natrona County Circuit Court in January. The case later was turned over the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office.
Cindy Williams, Michael Williams, Gasca-Nieto and Vanessa Saputra were identified among the alleged co-conspirators. (Saputra was not named in the federal indictment. Hassock and Brisson were named in the federal indictment, but not in the Natrona County Circuit Court affidavit.)
After a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Saputra by an undercover agent in September 2017, DCI agents interviewed her in October. After being read her rights, she said Cindy Williams and would either sell her or front her the drug in 1-ounce quantities at $300 per ounce.
Law enforcement agents surveilled Cindy Williams' house in east Casper, learned she would obtain methamphetamine in Denver, and re-distribute it in Casper and Cheyenne.
On Dec. 26, agents learned she had about $13,000 to buy about 2.5 pounds of the drug from Gasca-Nieto.
Later that day, agents saw Cindy Williams and Michael Williams, and Gasca-Nieto's wife drive to parking lots at two east Casper fast food restaurants, where they appeared to exchange money and drugs. Gasca-Nieto's wife did not know of her husband's drug trafficking.
Law enforcement agents moved to arrest them.
Michael Williams tried to drive away, but was blocked by vehicles of law enforcement. Williams ran, an officer took him down, and he told the officer he had a gun. After he was taken into custody, he was found to have a loaded .38 Special in his pants.