Montezuma County area narcotics investigation leads to eighth arrest

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Colorado District announces eighth arrest

Douglas Brummett, 23, of Montezuma County was “arrested on an indictment alleging multiple instances of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine,” a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado said.

On June 1, Brummett appeared in federal court in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge James M. Candelaria. The maximum penalty is 20 years imprisonment for each count.

An investigation by the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, the Cortez Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs has now led to the arrests of eight people.

Cesar Ortiz-Castillo, William Millard, Mary Lobato, Infant Maciel and Russell Wall were previously indicted on “conspiracy to commit drug trafficking offenses,” for allegedly violating 21 U.S.C. § 846, and other offenses related to drug distribution and weapons.

Luis Martinez and Crystal Bass were indicted on the same offenses under a different case number.

All individuals “have been arrested and are pending trial,” the news release said.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Josh Player and Jeffrey K. Graves are handling the prosecution for these cases.