United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Ray Don Groskreutz, 39, of North Pole, Alaska was sentenced to 13 years in prison on January 29, 2016, for one count of trafficking methamphetamine and heroin, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. His prison sentence will be followed by four years of supervised release.

“This habitual offender no longer poses a threat to the residents of Fairbanks,” added DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis, who commended the participating agencies’ efforts and the court’s sentencing.

According to information presented to the court, Groskreutz was apprehended on July 27, 2015, after the Alaska State (AST) conducted a welfare check at the Fairbanks hotel where Groskreutz was staying. AST confirmed Groskreutz was on court-ordered release in connection with three state criminal cases. When AST encountered him, Groskreutz admitted he has been shooting up drugs earlier that day, and agreed to be searched. Groskreutz had a loaded .380 caliber handgun on his hip, along with nearly $6,000 in cash and a Taser in his front pocket. Further investigation revealed that Groskreutz’s backpack, located in his hotel, contained over 200 grams of methamphetamine, 71.1 grams of heroin, $11,000 cash, a drug ledger, a digital scale, numerous small unused plastic baggies, and drug paraphernalia. Groskreutz’s van, parked at the hotel, contained anther 14 firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, which he has agreed to forfeit to the government. Groskreutz admitted the firearms were purchased with drug proceeds and facilitated his drug trafficking.

As part of his plea deal with the United States, Groskreutz has agreed to resolve all of his numerous pending state criminal matters. For instance, as detailed in his plea agreement, he has agreed to plead guilty to one count of misconduct involving weapons in the third degree as charged in State of Alaska v. Groskreutz, No. 4FA-12-(i.e., crime that arose on June 9, 2011), and to one count of burglary in the second degree in State of Alaska v. Groskreutz, No. 4FA-14-(i.e., a crime that arose in June 2014).

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline noted that the defendant had been “on a crime spree for the last three years” related to drugs and guns.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement (DEA), and the Alaska State Troopers Fairbanks Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit.  Additional assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and (ATF), and the Fairbanks District Attorney’s Office.