Fairbanks man, Etienne Devoe was convicted by a federal jury after a two-day trial for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin, as well as Conspiracy to Money Launder, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday.

The Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin R. Feldis stated yesterday that the case was put together after investigators captured calls and text messages between Devoe and his co-conspirator, Steven Taylor between May 2, 2013 and June 13, 2013. During those intercepted calls and texts, Devoe and Taylor were found to be discussing their on-going drug trafficking of Heroin and Cocaine. Investigators say that Taylor would supply Devoe with the drugs that Devoe then distributed around the Fairbanks area. In turn, Devoe would pay Taylor for the drugs through a checking account at a local Fairbanks bank.

Then, one week later, as Fairbanks Police were investigating a shooting at a rented house on Gillem Way on June 20th, 2013, police would locate Devoe hiding in an upstairs bedroom closet at the residence. Also discovered at the scene were items commonly used in the drug trafficking trade.

Devoe was indicted on the drug charges on June 16, 2014, along with Taylor, James Brown, Sr., Leonard D. Charles, Shawn Cortez Cloyd, Timothy W. Northcutt, Joshua J. Haynes, Gabrielle P. Haynes, and Joseph E. Irving.

U.S. Attorneys say that this is Devoe’s second conviction for Cocaine possession and distribution. Devoe was convicted in February of 2012 after he was found in possession of 6 oz of Cocaine. He was sentenced to 57 months in that case.

“This verdict is the result of law enforcement working together in bringing a longtime Fairbanks drug trafficker to justice,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Douglas James. “This significant investigation could not have been done without the collaboration of the many federal, state and local law enforcement partners who are dedicated in dismantling major drug trafficking organizations.”

At sentencing, Devoe will face not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison and a possible $5,000,000 fine, after which he will probably have four years of supervised release on the drug conspiracy conviction and up to 20 years and a $500,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the money laundering conviction.

Devoe is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8th, 2015.

  conspiracy, conviction, drug trafficking, etianne devoe, fairbanks, money laundering