Seven In Ruthless Drug Ring Await Sentencing All Pleaded Guilty To Drug-Related Counts; Probe Of Ties To Violent Crime Continues

Seven drug dealers await sentencing on federal charges tied to a Spokane organized crime ring that abducted and tortured people who didn’t pay their drug debts.

Investigators say the ring is connected to outlaw motorcycle gangs, illegal firearms and $200,000 worth of seized methamphetamine and cocaine.

While all those currently charged have pleaded guilty, authorities say the investigation of the group’s ties to violent crime continues.

Six of the seven defendants pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court. Judge Robert Whaley set sentencing for Oct. 2.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Hicks said Friday that members of the group, besides selling large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine, also are responsible for several burglaries and thefts in Spokane.

“This clearly is a violent organization whose members have numerous illegal weapons, and used force and intimidation to collect their drug debts,” Hicks said.

One victim was kidnapped at gunpoint last September and restrained in the basement of a north Spokane home with a dog chain around his neck because he didn’t pay a $370 drug bill.

A burning candle was held to his testicles and he was beaten with a board before agreeing to surrender his car to pay his drug debt, Hicks said.

In another case, a woman was abducted at gunpoint and raped for non-payment of the small drug bill she owed members of the group, Hicks said.

The case unfolded last fall when sheriff’s detectives looking for stolen property served a search warrant at a home at 2815 E. Weile.

Besides stolen goods, detectives found 10 grams of methamphetamine, Hicks said.

The case was referred to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane City-County Drug Task Force, which opened an investigation.

About that same time, Hicks said, an informant seeking payment for information contacted federal investigators.

In February, an indictment was returned in Spokane against the seven defendants, who have now struck plea agreements with prosecutors.

Hicks said investigators are certain that the group was responsible for distributing far greater amounts of drugs than were seized in a series of raids.

“It appears that some of these controlled substances were going to members of the Hells Angels, based upon drug records we seized,” Hicks said.

One of those admitting guilt is Richard A. Forrest II, 38, of Valley, Wash. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

Hicks said Forrest is a member of the Iron Horsemen, an outlaw motorcycle club whose members are associates of the Hells Angels. Forrest faces a minimum-mandatory term of 10 years in prison.

His sister, Monica Faye Forrest, 36, of Spokane, faces the same minimum sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

She also agreed to the forfeiture to the government of $9,880 in cash that was found in her home at 1739 E. Olympic, where she was living on welfare. Investigators found 10 grams of meth in the home during a Feb. 4 search.

Other defendants include Jack Thomas Lamere, 29, of Spokane, conspiracy and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Cheryl M. Rogers, 25, Spokane, conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Deborah Longo, 27, Spokane, conspiracy, three counts of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a sawed-off shotgun; and Shannon Green, 25, Spokane, conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute meth.

A seventh defendant, Debra L. Cochran, 29, earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy and three counts of distributing methamphetamine or cocaine.

, DataTimes