United States v. Spayd

Case Number: 19-cr-00111

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

All hearings are open to the public.

Defendant

Jessica Joyce Spayd

Case Information

On October 17, 2019 Joyce Joyce Spayd was charged by indictment by the United States Attorney's Office, District of Alaska. Counts 1-3 are Distribution and Dispensing of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, counts 4- are Distribution and Dispensing of a Controlled Substance, and 1 criminal forfeiture allegation. Full details can be read in the indictment: Spayd Indictment

This case has been assigned to Judge Ralph R. Beistline

Scheduled Court Hearings

October 18, 2019 at 1:30 pm, Anchorage Courtroom 6: An Arraignment and Detention Hearing was held. A Final Pretrial Conference was scheduled to be held in Anchorage Courtroom 4 on December 11 at 9:00 am. Trial was scheduled to be held in Anchorage Courtroom 4 on December 23 at 8:30am.

October 28, 2019 at 1:30 pm, Anchorage Courtroom 6: A continued Detention Hearing was held. The defendant ordered to be detained pending another Detention Hearing or Trial.

November 7, 2019 at 1:45 pm, Anchorage Courtroom 4: A Motion Hearing was scheduled to declare the case complex. This hearing was rescheduled to November 21.

November 21, 2019 at 9:00 am, Anchorage Courtroom 4: A Motion Hearing was held and the motion to declare the case complex was granted. The Final Pretrial Conference was rescheduled to be held in Anchorage Courtroom 4 on October 14, 2020 at 9:00 am. The Trial was rescheduled to be held in Anchorage Courtroom 4 on November 2, 2020 at 8:30 am.

November 26, 2019: The government filed a motion Altnerative Victim Notification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3771(d)(2). The order was granted by the Court on December 30. See court documents section below for governtment's original motion, defense's response, government's reply, and order granting the motion.

April 10, 2020: A bail review hearing is scheduled for 3:30 pm. In light of COVID-19, this hearing will be conducted telephonically. If you believe you should be allowed to call into this hearing, please contact Dawn Shewmaker, Victim-Witness Coordinator, at 907-229-7776. The defendant was released on bail. See dkt 65 below, Order Setting Conditions of Release, for specific details.

June 10, 2020: Court issued a Modified Order Setting Conditions of Release. See dkt 71 below, Modified Order Setting Conditions of Release, for specific details.

September 16, 2020: At the request of the U.S. Probation Office, a Bail Review Hearing to discuss modifying conditions of release to be held at 1:00 pm in Virtual Courtroom 2. People wishing to listen in can call the listen only line at 1-877-848-7030, Access Code 4964012.

September 30, 2020: A scheduling conference was held. The Final Pretrial Conference was rescheduled to be held in Anchorage Courtroom 3 on March 31, 2021 at 9:00 am. The Trial was rescheduled to be held in Anchorage Courtroom 3 on April 19, 2021 at 8:30 am before Ralph R. Beistline. *Trial cancelled due to COVID-19

January 26, 2022: A trial scheduling conference is being held to discuss the location of trial. Trial is currently set to begin on April 12, 2022.

February 7, 2022: A bail review hearing will be held at 9:30 am in Anchorage Courtroom 5. Update: Bail Conditions modified.

February 16, 2022: A status conference hearing was held. Trial date changed to September 26, 2022 in Anchorage Courtroom 3. Final pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 7, 2022 at 10:00 am in Courtroom 3.

September 26, 2022: Jury selection was held. A jury was selected. The presentation of witnesses and evidences will begin on October 3 at 9:00 am in Anchorage Courtroom 3. The trial is open to the public, unless you have been subpoened as a witness.

October 3, 2022: Opening statements and the presentation of evidence commenced. Trial will begin at 9:15 am each day and run Monday thru Thursday. The trial is open to the public, unless you have been subpoened as a witness

October 28, 2022: A verdict was returned in the trial of US v. Jessica Spayd. The jury found Ms. Spayd guilty on all 10 counts charged in the indictment. See press release below.

February 17, 2023: Sentencing is being held at 10:00 am in Anchorage Courtroom 3. Sentencing is open to the public.