Heroin importer sentenced to 7 years

ANCHORAGE — One of two men charged with importing more than a kilogram of heroin in late 2013 will serve seven years in federal prison.

James Gwaltney, 38, of Wasilla, was charged along with Baretta Faatafuga, 38, also of Wasilla, in the conspiracy that involved a shipment of the 1.6 kilograms of the drugs packed inside safe and shipped to Alaska.

Both men pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin. In November 2014, Faatafuga received a sentence of seven and a half years in prison for his role in the crime. Gwaltney was sentenced to serve seven years last week.

“In sentencing Gwaltney, (U.S. District Court) Judge (Sharon L.) Gleason noted the seriousness of Gwaltney’s offense and the dangers of both drugs and drug addiction,” reads a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office issued Monday.

According to court documents filed in the case against the two, the investigation began with the heroin getting intercepted on its way to Alaska from California. The drugs were packaged inside a Sentry Safe and the package was addressed to a home in Houston.

Investigators repackaged the drugs and coated them in “Clue Spray” a chemical that rubs off on people that handle the package and glows under blacklight. They also put a signaling device inside the box that would let them know when it was opened.

Gwaltney and Faatafuga drove to the Houston home shortly after the package was delivered and picked it up. They then brought it to a home on Rainbow Drive in the Wasilla area.

When law enforcement got the signal the box had been opened, officers knocked on the door of the home. A 13-year-old girl answered and let them inside, saying Faatafuga had left but Gwlatney was in a motorhome on the property.

In addition to the seven-year term, Gwaltney will be on probation for five years when he’s released. He will be responsible for completing 200 hours of community service.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.