News : Sidney native pleads guilty to cocaine charge : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Sidney native pleads guilty to cocaine charge

Published on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 3:11 PM MST

Bill Mercer, U.S. attorney for the District of Montana, announced Wednesday that during a federal court session in Billings before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, Tara Rauschendorfer, a 24-year-old resident of Billings and a former resident of Sidney, was arraigned and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute cocaine.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 4, 2010. She is currently released on special conditions.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

In the fall of 2008, federal agents with the FBI and DEA began conducting independent drug trafficking cases targeting several subjects in Billings. They later realized the different cells were connected to the same source of supply and began working the case jointly. The source of supply in Billings was identified as Shon Kalani Flores.

During the latter part of the cocaine distribution conspiracy, Flores and Rauschendorfer began living together in Billings. In approximately January 2009, Raushendorfer joined the cocaine conspiracy.

The investigation reveals that Rauschendorfer allowed Flores to use her vehicle to obtain multiple ounces of cocaine from Salt Lake City. In addition, she rented cars for Flores to travel to Salt Lake City to obtain cocaine in multiple ounce quantities and return the cocaine to Billings for redistribution to various individuals and groups. Rauschendorfer also aided Flores by distributing approximately 3 ounces of cocaine herself.

During the period of the conspiracy, others distributing cocaine for Flores would deliver cash proceeds to Rauschendorfer, and she in turn delivered the money to Flores as payment for the cocaine.

Also, during the period of the conspiracy, surveillance teams observed Flores use Rauschendorfer’s vehicle to make numerous deliveries of cocaine throughout Billings.

The amount of cocaine that Rauschendorfer was responsible for and which was directly and reasonably foreseeable to her in the conspiracy exceeded 500 grams.

Rauschendorfer faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least four years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.

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Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

Frustrated wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:24 PM:

" Talk about a corrupt community. I can't wait for someone to clean up Sidney. Bring it on Who Ha. I was beginning to think I was the only one that thought our law enforcement was lacking. You could park on the corner of my block and have a drug bust. But what do I know. And it isn't from the lack of communication with law enforcement! Something needs to be done now. "

who ha wrote on Nov 19, 2009 4:34 PM:

" OK Hey, i guess I have to agree but, as for 2, well I find it odd how a few chosen people in this community don't have to pay for their mistakes, AND YOU KNOW 1 OF THEM!!!. O how I intend to clean up this corrupt little community. "

2 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:13 PM:

" The paper may have provided her information but they failed to say that she objected to some of it. She plead guilty to renting a car!! Do all you people live off of the media and rumors?? She was not out there dealing drugs, she just got caught up in the conspiracy part of it. Yes she was in the wrong but give her a break. Everyone makes misakes "

Hey wrote on Nov 17, 2009 12:56 PM:

" Maybe she made bad choices, don't we all. Yes, she has admitted to her guilt and that is good, but i am thinking that she would have continued down this path if she had not gotten caught. She admitted to it because they had her dead to rights.
If there were any justice, she will get help and be made to understand how she may have helped ruin other peoples lives by selling a dangerous drug. And for what? Money? Get a job! That is what the rest of us have to do.
Sorry, if that sounds cold but I am tired of everyone feeling sorry for the criminals just because they "know" them. Do you feel sorry for the others caught with her? Probably not, unless you know them as well. They just made a poor choice too. Get real people, she is not 16, she is 25. Old enough to know what she was doing was wrong and that someone could be harmed. As long as it suited her, she continued. Now it suits her to help in the investigation to help herself get a lesser sentence. "

positive thoughts wrote on Nov 13, 2009 2:23 PM:

" Keep your chin up! She did the right thing by admitting her guilt, we all make mistakes and as long as she has cooperated with the investigation she deserves a break, in my eyes she is still a honest person that made a very poor choice. Nobody is perfect and I would be willing to bet that she will somehow turn this negative into a positive in her life and help turn around some of those close to her. "

concerned wrote on Nov 11, 2009 5:59 PM:

" Ever wonder why so many people from Sidney end up getting busted for drugs outside of Richland County? Doesn't say much for your law enforcement. Why hasn't there been a drug bust in Sidney, Richland County for so long? I'm told it isn't because there is a lack of drugs in our community. Is it true this law enforcement looks the other way for some, yet lays for others? I THINK IT STINKS, do the job you are paid to do, our children are at risk! "

Mastif wrote on Nov 11, 2009 2:06 PM:

" I havent had the support i wanted from my family either but i dont snort or sell! Dont make up excuses...everyone goes threw issues in life and feels there family is not there for them but dont blame them! I am glad she admitted her guilt its one step closer to becomming a better person not that she isnt a sweet girl i think she has always been very nice and i like her but this is just a wake up call for her to get on the right path thats all. Good luck "

C wrote on Nov 10, 2009 2:52 PM:

" She hasnt had very good examples in her life, maybe that would be a start. She needs support from ALl her family! Yes, this may be a big embarassment for her family but she admitted her guilt unlike some people and is willing to pay the price for that guilt. Lets support her and show her there is better for her than that. "

s. wrote on Nov 10, 2009 8:31 AM:

" Everything you do , Always catches up wit you in the END. KARMA ... "

rodeo wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:40 PM:

" One thing about the Feds, they don't discriminate, there is no picking and chooseing on who the law applies to. If you get caught breaking the law your going down no matter who you are! "

.. wrote on Nov 9, 2009 6:21 PM:

" People make mistakes and definatley learn from them. We are only human. "

True Friend wrote on Nov 9, 2009 5:56 PM:

" I think everyone needs to read the ENTIRE story in the billings gazette. People do make bad decisions and learn from it. Its unfair for the town she grew up in to print a little part of the story and make her out to be the bad guy. If you knew the whole story you would realize her roll was minor in this whole conspiracy. She has done wrong and pled guilty. Isnt that the first step to rehabilitation? Tara needs support form the community even though she has done wrong. Nobody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes but not everyone gets caught. I will love and support Tara no matter what happens. Making bad decisions doesnt change who she is. Everyone konws Tara as a good person and would continue to believe that had this not happen. She is paying for this mistake from the courts. The last thing she needs now is for everyone who ever once called her a friend is to turn their backs on her. What is wrong with people. How can you live whth yourself knowing someone is looking for support and you cant see her pain cause your back is turned. I am not saying i support her decisions but I support her as a human and as a best friend. I hope everyone who judged her and turned their backs on her feel horrible. Everyone needs help at times. Dont be suprided when people turn their backs on you! Get it right! "

Suggestion wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:35 PM:

" How about if some of the local young adults who have messed up their lives with alcohol & drugs are ordered to appear via interactive TV before an assembly of local middle & high school students and warn the teenagers about where poor choices can lead. There have been plenty to chose from in the police beat lately. The teenagers might actually learn from the mistakes of someone closer to their own age. "

Oh Yeah wrote on Nov 8, 2009 4:07 PM:

" Do the crime, do the time baby. "

JR wrote on Nov 7, 2009 9:04 PM:

" I feel sad for Tara's family but do not feel any sadness for Tara. She knew what she was doing was wrong and continued to do it. Come on people, look at what this crap does to you!! I don't understand it... "

justice wrote on Nov 7, 2009 10:45 AM:

" I only feel sorry for her sister for the example set by this family. "

TOTALLY SUPRISED wrote on Nov 6, 2009 12:51 PM:

" Wow is all i can say!!! My prayers are with Tara. "

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