Colorado woman sentenced for drug trafficking to Native American tribes

In a significant drug trafficking case, a Colorado woman, Thelma Jones, also known as Faber, was recently sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for her involvement in supplying drugs to Native American tribes. This case emerged after law enforcement tracked Faber and a Wyoming man outside the Wind River Indian Reservation. The duo was apprehended while making a drug delivery which resulted in the seizure of substantial amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Both individuals pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute in May 2024. The case highlighted the ongoing drug issues affecting Native American communities, particularly with methamphetamine, which has had a devastating impact as noted by both local authorities and previous reports. Although Faber will undergo supervised probation and treatment programs after her release, the larger issue of drug trafficking and addiction within Native American tribes remains critical, especially following a declared state of emergency by the Northern Arapaho tribe in 2020 due to rising meth usage and its effects on community health and safety. The severity of the sentences reflects the courts’ commitment to addressing these pressing issues while trying to deter similar crimes in the future.