A resident of Sekiu who had been banned from Makah Tribal lands pleaded guilty in early November to possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. 

James G. Rode, 47, was arrested on March 2 following a court-authorized search of his residence. Law enforcement found 40 15-milligram oxycodone pills hidden in a heating vent in the bathroom. Nearby, they found three firearms. Rode admitted with his plea that the firearms were used to further his drug trafficking activity. He faces a mandatory minimum five years in prison on the weapons charge to run consecutive to any other sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2013.

According to the plea agreement, members of the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team were investigating Rode's drug dealing. In February 2012, someone working with law enforcement bought oxycodone from Rode on multiple occasions. Rode previously had been banned from Makah Tribal lands because of his drug dealing activity.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, both prosecutors and defense attorneys will recommend a sentence between 11-13 years in prison.

The case was investigated by Neah Bay Tribal Police, Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team and agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. London serves as the tribal liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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