Two Alaska Residents Charged for Attempting to Smuggle Drugs into Prison

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that two Alaska residents have been charged for attempting to smuggle drugs into the State of Alaska Department of Corrections (“DOC”) Mat-Su Pretrial Correctional Facility (“Mat-Su Pretrial”) in Palmer. 

Joshua Jacob Reed, 30, an inmate at Mat-Su Pretrial at the time of the offense, and Olivia Danielle Blake, 27, of Wasilla, were both named in the indictment.  Reed is charged with (1) attempt to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and (2) attempt to possess contraband in prison.  Blake is charged with (1) distribution of a controlled substance, and (2) attempt to provide contraband in prison. 

According to the indictment, on or about Feb. 28, 2017, Blake allegedly attempted to pass drugs to Reed, who was an inmate at Mat-Su Pretrial at the time.  Blake did so at Reed’s direction on the morning that Reed was set for trial in an unrelated state criminal case.  The drugs that Reed and Blake attempted to smuggle into Mat-Su Pretrial included quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and Buprenorphine, which is one of the narcotic drugs in Suboxone.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or both, for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment.  Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) conducted the investigation, with assistance from DOC, which led to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea W. Hattan.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.