Sean C. Morgan
A 40-year-old Sweet Home man was charged on June 23 in federal court for distribution of heroin in connection to a fatal heroin overdose last October.
Rockie Eugene William Morse and Tammy Kay Tongate of Portland were charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death under the federal “Len Bias” statute. The count carries a statutory mandatory minimum prison term of 20 years, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.
Three others, Laticia Sanchez, 24, of Sweet Home; Nathaniel Brian Tongate-Ehlers of the Portland area; and Joaquin Mata-Ornelas of the Portland area, were charged with conspiracy to deliver heroin.
Morse faces additional charges, including distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute heroin.
Tongate also was charged with possession with the intent to distribute heroin and three counts of distribution of heroin. Tongate-Ehlers faces an additional charge of distribution of heroin, and Joaquin Mata-Ornelas faces an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Trial is set for Aug. 12 before U.S. District Court Judge Marco Hernandez.
In May, Sanchez was charged in Linn County Circuit Court for supplying contraband, four counts of delivery of heroin, two counts of possession of heroin, possession of meth and delivery of meth.
Ashley Marie Ames, 25, of Lebanon was found dead on Oct. 2, 2013. Investigators found drug paraphernalia and residue quantities of black tar heroin, according to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency news release.
Prior to her death, Ames was scheduled to enter drug treatment. As a result of the ensuing investigation by the DEA and Linn County Sheriff’s Office, uncovering a major influx of heroin into Sweet Home, 15 individuals have been arrested and face federal and state charges.
Investigators worked closely with the Portland Police Bureau and Vice Division, Sweet Home Police Department, Lebanon Police Department and the Linn County District Attorney’s Office.
According to an affidavit by Agent Frank J. Sampson based on the investigation, he believed that Morse had purchased more than 100 grams of heroin from Tongate between January and May for distribution and further redistribution.
According to the affidavit, Tongate told investigators that Morse had purchased heroin from her for the past 1 ½ to 2 years, and the last time was around May 15 or May 16. He told investigators that he had purchased heroin one to two times per week but more recently about once per week, usually an ounce at a time although he had purchased as much as 2 ounces.
He told investigators that he has at least four different people who sell heroin for him, according to the affidavit, and the last time he sold heroin was in Sweet Home on May 19 to two different people.
Joseph McCaslin of Sweet Home told investigators that he sold heroin in exchange for heroin to support his personal habit. He is scheduled for a hearing for a plea and sentencing on July 10 in Linn County Circuit Court for delivery of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school.
Kirsten Stevenson of Sweet Home also was charged with delivery of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school in Circuit Court in connection to the case and is scheduled for a status hearing on July 7.
The law is colloquially named after Len Bias, who was a first-team All-American college basketball player with the University of Maryland. He was drafted as the second pick overall by the Boston Celtics in 1986 but died two days later from a cocaine overdose. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, expanded in 1988, is known as the “Len Bias Law.” It created mandatory minimum sentencing for drug trafficking.