7 charged in Rocky Boy meth busts

Five people were arrested Tuesday on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation as part of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in connection with a methamphetamine investigation in Washington State.

Documents provided by the U.S Attorney’s office in Helena revealed that Christopher Parisian, Thomas Parisian, Kristina Russette and Lawrence Russette of Box Elder and Georgie Russell of Havre were arrested.

Charges against the defendants have not been released.

Two other suspects, Adam Ketchum, residence not known, and Jacob Parker of Box Elder, were arrested Feb. 24 and 25 respectively.

The DEA’s Seattle division, which spearheaded the raid with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies including the U.S Customs and Border Patrol and U.S Marshals, said the charges the suspects face could not be disclosed, due to the ongoing investigation.

Documents from the U.S Attorney’s office in Helena said the suspects are now being held on pending charges, after appearing in U.S. District Court in Great Falls Wednesday.

Two others connected with the investigation were arrested in Washington and appeared in U.S District Court in Yakima.

Each of the seven suspects appeared in court Wednesday or Thursday.

Chippewa Cree Business Committee member Dustin Whitford later said only he and two other council members Beau Mitchell and Tribal Chairman Ken St. Marks, along with some of the reservations police knew about the operation beforehand and were supportive of it.

“Everyone who had a hand in the action are to be commended and, in my book, are welcome back anytime,” Whitford said.

Whitford said the council as a whole has been encouraging Rocky Boy Police department to take a more aggressive posture against drugs on the reservation.

The afternoon raid took the reservation by storm Tuesday, according to witnesses. One woman on the reservation said she saw about 26 agents from law enforcement agencies and a phalanx of vehicles within a mile of the western boundary of the reservation.

Four suspects in Great Falls are scheduled to appear in federal court for a detention hearing Monday and Wednesday.

Court documents said Christopher and Thomas Parisian waived their right to a detention hearing.