A Fargo man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after being found guilty of a number of offenses related to a drug distribution enterprise on the Spirit Lake and Fort Berthold reservations.

Charles Fox, 34, Fargo, appeared in United States District Court in Fargo on Friday before Chief Judge Peter Welte, who sentenced him to serve 480 months in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release.

Fox was found guilty by jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; conspiracy to commit money laundering; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance-fentanyl; distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death; distribution of a controlled substance-fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance-methamphetamine; and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He was also assessed $700 in special assessments.

As reflected in court documents, federal law enforcement responded to an overdose death on the Spirit Lake Reservation. A subsequent investigation revealed Karmen Fox was the primary source of the pills ingested by the victim. Fox sold fentanyl pills to individuals throughout North Dakota, including on the Spirit Lake Reservation and Fort Berthold Reservation for further distribution, including codefendants Scott Roberts, Kristin Carrington, Chasity Lynn Feather, Aiana Richotte, among other coconspirators. Throughout the conspiracy, Fox and his codefendants used money transfer services to transfer the drug proceeds.

In December 2022, Fox distributed more than 100 fentanyl pills to Feather and Richotte, who in turn drove the pills from Fargo to Devils Lake for further distribution. While in Devils Lake,

Richotte and the overdose victim smoked a pill. Thereafter, the victim returned to her residence on the Spirit Lake Reservation, where she later died. After the victim was found unresponsive by her significant other, he called emergency medical personnel who unsuccessfully performed life-saving measures.

Law enforcement later obtained search warrants for Richotte’s and Feather’s hotel room in Devils Lake as well as Feather’s person. Law enforcement seized $1,293 from Feather’s purse and about 175 fentanyl pills from Feather’s person.

Further investigation of the coconspirators’ social media accounts revealed that Scott Roberts and Fox discussed having previously distributed “thousands” of pills.

On Nov. 21, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Fox’s residence in Fargo. Law enforcement seized about 25 grams of methamphetamine, two grams of heroin, three firearms and 34 boxes of various ammunition. Fox was prohibited from possessing firearms because of two prior felony convictions, including Attempted Delivery of Controlled Substance-Heroin.

Fox’s coconspirators pleaded guilty. Roberts was sentenced to 10 years, Carrington to 3.5 years, Richotte to 2 years and 4 months, while Feather is awaiting sentencing.

“The defendant prioritized financial gain over human life and it’s my hope that his sentence will serve as a stark warning to others who are engaging in the same conduct,” said acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemesrud Puhl in a prepared statement. “If you distribute dangerous narcotics that result in overdose deaths, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”