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Two officers
from the Jamestown area were recognized for their efforts in
combating drug trafficking in the Jamestown area. Cpl Scott
Edinger with the Jamestown Police Department and Sgt. Troy Kelly
with Stutsman County Sheriff’s office received recognition from
the U.S. Attorneys Office.
Cpl Edinger
received his award during the Jamestown city Council meeting and
Sgt. Kelly received his award at the Stutsman County Commission
meeting. U.S. Attorney for North Dakota, Drew Wrigley,
recognized the two officers for their investigation in Stutsman
County Task force “Operation White Cloud.” U.S. Attorney
Wrigley praised the officers stating there were times the
officers could have stopped with good arrests, but chose to keep
bringing in witnesses and made a historic conspiracy case.
Because of their efforts and skills, the operation resulted in
thirteen arrest and convictions on different related drug
charges. Michael San Miguel Jr. who was the leader of the drug
ring was arrested and charged. San Miguel Jr. had pleaded
guilty to four federal drug charges and was sentenced to thirty
years in prison. The persons involved in the arrest are in
federal prison and will be out of the Jamestown area for a very
long time. This has made a major effect on the drug trafficking
in Jamestown. The two officer’s investigation had lead to the
take down and removal of some major drug dealers in Jamestown.
Both Chief David Donegan and Sheriff Dave Orr praised the two
officers for their time and commitment to the operation. This
took many long hours and interviewing to build a case. It took
the cooperation of a number of agencies and officers to make all
this possible, but it was the determination of these to officers
that took that information and worked with it. Through their
investigation and having interstate issues they had decided to
go through DEA and U.S. Attorney’s office. If this would have
been handled at a lower level, the sentences imposed may not
have been as severe.
Cpl Edinger is
now a detective with the Jamestown Police Department where his
continuing to put his skills to useful work, solving other
crimes in the Jamestown area.
Sgt Troy Kelly
continues to work with the Task Force keeping a keen eye on the
activity going on in the area.
Congratulations
go out to Cpl Scott Edinger and Sgt Troy Kelly for their hard
work and long hours that paid off in the end.
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