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Date: 05-18-2022
Case Style:
Case Number: 2:20-cr-00117-BLW
Judge: B. Lynn Winmill
Court: United States District Court for the District of Idaho (Kootenai County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney: Steve Frampton
Description: Coeru D'Alene, Idaho criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant chargd with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Sean Robert Wathen worked with Larry Junior Hillbroom and others to acquire and smuggle methamphetamine through international airports between North Idaho and the Pacific Islands of Guam and Palau. Wathen acquired pounds of methamphetamine for Hillbroom over several months in 2015. Hillbroom and others would then use several different methods to smuggle the drugs, including shampoo containers and carrying the substance on their person, to Guam and Palau. Once in Guam or Palau, Hillbroom would coordinate with locally-based individuals to sell the methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers learned of the conspiracy, investigated, and ultimately arrested Hillbroom and his coconspirators.
Wathen is scheduled to be sentenced on August 9, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Wathen was originally charged with Morgan Kenney, 36, Zachary Craig Carlson, 31, and Larry Junior Hillbroom, 37, all of Hope, Idaho. Kenney, Carlson, and Hillbroom previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to imprisonment. Morgan Kenny was sentenced to 52 months, Zachary Craig Carlson was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment, and Larry Junior Hillbroom was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bonner County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service, which led to charges.
Outcome: 05/13/2022 267 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge B Lynn Winmill: Jury Trial - Day 6 as to Sean Robert Wathen was held on 5/13/2022. The defendant was found Guilty as to Count One. Sentencing is set for 8/9/2022 at 2:30 PM in Coeur d Alene - District Courtroom before Judge B Lynn Winmill. (Court Reporter Tammy Hohenleitner.) (jlg)
05/13/2022 268 EXHIBIT LIST by Sean Robert Wathen (alw) (Entered: 05/16/2022)
05/13/2022 269 Amended EXHIBIT LIST by USA as to Sean Robert Wathen (alw) (Entered: 05/16/2022)
05/13/2022 270 Jury Instructions as to Sean Robert Wathen (alw) (Entered: 05/16/2022)
05/13/2022 271 SEALED Jury Notes or Questions as to Sean Robert Wathen (alw) (Entered: 05/16/2022)
05/13/2022 272 JURY VERDICT as to Sean Robert Wathen (3) Guilty on Count 1s. (Notice sent to USP) (Attachments: # 1 sealed verdict)(alw) (Entered: 05/16/2022)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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