Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on May 14, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, NOAH CHILDS GORDON, a resident of Los Angeles, California, and THOMAS PAUL STRIKER, a 26-year-old resident of Glendale, California, pled guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance. Sentencing is set for September 8, 2009. They are currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On August 17, 2007, GORDON and STRIKER attempted to enter the United States from Canada. When U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers questioned GORDON and STRIKER, they admitted they had marijuana in their vehicle.

A search was conducted on their vehicle and approximately 586 grams (2000+ pills) of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA "Ecstacy") and approximately 5.3 grams of marijuana were recovered.

On August 20, 2007, when interviewed again, both defendants admitted they had an agreement and a plan to illegally import Ecstacy (MDMA) into the United States from Canada.

GORDON stated that on August 11, 2007, he met with a female from Canada, known only as Arwen, at a night club in Los Angeles, California. GORDON and Arwen agreed to drive to Calgary to meet an individual from whom they could purchase Ecstacy pills and bring them back to the United States to sell in Los Angeles. Arwen and GORDON agreed to split the proceeds. GORDON then solicited STRIKER to join in the conspiracy because GORDON needed another driver. STRIKER stated he knew that the purpose of the trip was to illegally import Ecstacy pills and to bring them back to Los Angeles for distribution.

Several days later, the three individuals traveled from Los Angeles to Calgary. Arwen purchased the Ecstacy pills from a source in Canada. GORDON and STRIKER then purchased two "stash cans" in which they could conceal the pills. GORDON also admitted to assisting Arwen in putting the MDMA pills into the "stash cans" before they left Canada and attempted to enter the United States.

They each face possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan R. Whittaker prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Glacier County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Port of Piegan.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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