All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Fremont County, WY) – Ethete man Collie Warren pled “guilty” to the charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine at a June 6 change of plea hearing held before the Honorable Judge Kelly H. Rankin in Cheyenne.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 22.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Warren back in February after his reported involvement in a local meth distribution case that also resulted in the arrest of Oscar Espinoza-Duarte and German Ortiz-Esparza.
Court documents state that on February 6, Warren arrived at Espinoza’s residence in Kinnear, and later left with a red-colored item/package in his hands.
Agents maintained surveillance on Warren and followed him to Ethete, where he parked at a convenience store parking lot and entered the store, but got into the passenger side of a different vehicle when he left.
From outside of Warren’s truck that was still parked at the store, Agents were able to observe the red package (determined to be a red Budweiser beer box), which had a clear baggie containing a crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine inside.
Agents later discovered two baggies inside the box, which contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine each, court documents also informed.
About two months after the warrant for Collie’s arrest was issued and with no leads, the FBI went on to offer a $5,000 reward in April for information that could lead to his detainment. He was arrested two days later.
Warren later pled “not guilty” to the charge back in April and a June jury trial was set, however, a non-public plea agreement was filed on his behalf on June 2, and the change of plea hearing was set.
As stated above, Warren’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 22. He remains detained at this time.
The maximum sentence for a possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine felony charge is life imprisonment (no less than ten years), a $10,000,000 fine, and a life of supervised release (no less than five years).
County 10 will provide updates on this case as they become available.