FARGO — A 34-year-old Fargo man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his role leading a dangerous drug ring that was the primary source of thousands of fentanyl pills in North Dakota, including those that led to a Spirit Lake Indian Reservation woman’s death.

Karmen Charles Fox was sentenced Friday, July 18, by Chief Judge Peter Welte on several charges, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, illegal gun possession and money laundering. A jury found Fox guilty after a trial March 19, Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl said in a release.

Fox sold fentanyl pills to individuals throughout North Dakota, including co-defendants Scott Roberts, Kristin Carrington, Chasity Lynn Feather, Aiana Richotte, among other co-conspirators, using CashApp and other money transfer services to transfer the drug proceeds, according to the release.

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 to sell, the release said. While in Devils Lake, Richotte and the overdose victim smoked a pill, and the victim was later found unresponsive by her significant other.

During the investigation into the woman’s death, law enforcement later obtained search warrants for Richotte and Feather’s hotel room in Devils Lake and seized more than $1,200 from Feather’s purse and approximately 175 fentanyl pills from Feather. Richotte and Feather were arrested on Dec. 13, 2022.

On Nov. 21, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Fox’s residence in Fargo and law enforcement seized approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine, two grams of heroin, three firearms and 34 boxes of various ammunition. Fox was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, the release said.

“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,” Puhl said. “If you distribute dangerous narcotics that result in overdose deaths, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.

Fox’s co-conspirators plead guilty in the case, the release said. Roberts was sentenced to 10 years, Carrington was sentenced to three and a half years, Richotte was sentenced to two years and four months and Feather is awaiting sentencing.

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