10 face federal charges on drug trafficking charges

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Ten people, more than half of whom are from Anchorage, are facing charges in connection with what the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Tuesday categorized as a drug trafficking organization operating in the city.

Eight of the people charged are listed in a single indictment, the first version of which was filed in May. The two others are standalone, separate charges filed as recently as September, according to federal court records.

According to the USAO for the District of Alaska, all suspects are believed to have ties to a single drug trafficking operation.

In a prepared release on Tuesday, prosecutors said they believe 50-year-old Rodney Godwin of Anchorage is the ringleader of the operation, accused of trafficking controlled substances including but not limited to fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, with documents in federal court alleging he conspired with nine other people to do so.

The charges range from charges of continuing a criminal enterprise, to conspiracy to distribute, to money laundering and carrying firearms in the course of a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, Godwin faces up to life in prison, while the others could face up to 20 years behind bars, according to the USAO.

The latest court documents made available on the federal court website show the case is in the discovery phase, with thousands of documents still to be reviewed.