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A conspiracy that brought nearly 20 pounds of cocaine to Billings and other Montana communities has ensnared at least eight people, including four former and current players and coaches with the Billings Outlaws football organiza-tion.
Former Outlaws defensive back Shon Flores, 32, of Billings, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to a conspiracy count. He admitted trafficking at least 9 kilos, or almost 20 pounds, of cocaine that came from a source in Salt Lake City.
Some of Flores' customers included business owners, professionals and salesmen in the Billings community, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Seykora. The conspiracy ran from about late summer last year until July.
Flores, Seykora said, was distributing cocaine in Billings, Missoula and elsewhere in the state through co-conspirators that included "a loosely knit group of former and current football players and coaches for the Billings Outlaws.''
Three others associated with the Outlaws pleaded not guilty to cocaine charges during arraignments Wednesday afternoon.
Chase Allyn Raynock, 32, of Billings, the Outlaws' public relations representative and an assistant coach, turned himself in Wednesday. He is charged with conspiracy and with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He played football at Skyview High School and the University of Montana.
Robert Earl Reed, 34, of Billings, formerly the Outlaws' offensive coordinator and former San Diego Charger, was arrested. Reed said he resigned from his job two weeks ago. He was indicted on conspiracy and distribution charges.
Former Outlaws player and University of Montana Grizzly All-American Andrew James Petek, 31, of Livingston, also appeared after being arrested. He was indicted on conspiracy and possession charges.
Also pleading not guilty to conspiracy charges were Terra Chesarek, 37, of Billings, who turned herself in, and Edward Alvin White II, 29, of Billings, who was arrested. Both were indicted on conspiracy and possession counts.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby released all five without bond until trial. They face a possible five years to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine if convicted. Their cases will be heard by the District Judges Richard Cebull and Jack Shanstrom.
In addition to Flores, two women charged in the case pleaded guilty Wednesday.
Athena Candace Beaumont, 28, of Pryor, and Tara Rauschendorfer, 24, of Billings, who lives with Flores, each admitted conspiracy charges Wednesday for their roles in the trafficking activity.
Flores, Beaumont and Rauschendorfer all reached plea agreements with the government. The prosecutor agreed not to bring other charges in return for their guilty pleas.
Flores, a defensive back, played for the team for six years before leaving in 2006, said his attorney, Vern Woodward. A Hawaii native, Flores played two seasons at West Hills College in California, then was a two-year starter for Mon-tana State University in Bozeman. He was a second-team All-American selection in 1999.
Flores traveled to Salt Lake City on numerous occasions or had others drive there to pick up cocaine for redistribution, Seykora said. Flores got about 20 pounds of cocaine from his supplier, he said. The cocaine was distributed to individuals and groups, including business owners, professionals and salesmen, in Billings, he said. Court records did not identify those persons.
Undercover agents with the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration made numerous purchases of cocaine from Flores and others.
Flores faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $4 million fine. Beaumont and Rauschendorfer face a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison and a maximum $2 million fine.
Chief U. S. District Judge Richard Cebull set Flores' sentencing for Feb. 10 and continued his release without bond. The judge set sentencing for Beaumont and Rauschendorfer for Feb. 4 and also released them without bond.
