A federal judge has sentenced the leader of a violent methamphetamine trafficking ring that operated on the Wind River Indian Reservation to 16 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal on Tuesday sentenced Cameron Means-Goodman of Arapahoe to 195 months in federal prison.

A jury found Means-Goodman guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a federal drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm and assault in February.

"This (case) came to the attention of investigators when they were called to the scene of a shooting that was taking place near Arapahoe," said U.S. Attorney Mark Klaassen. "They investigated the scene (and) came across some firearms and other paraphernalia that was indicative of some drug trafficking activity."

"As the investigation went on they were able to develop some facts indicating that Ms. Means-Goodman was operating this drug distribution ring along with several other defendants," Klaassen added. "(They) had a source of supply for methamphetamine out of Salt Lake City and that's where she was bringing in the drugs onto the reservation."

Klaassen says the other defendants in the case also received substantial sentences, ranging anywhere from three to eight years.

"We're very pleased with the outcome of this case," he said. "We know there's lots more work to do, but this is a case where we were successful in disrupting, at least in terms of this particular drug ring, their ability to continue to do what they were doing."

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