CROW AGENCY – A man and a woman who allegedly received and distributed several pounds of methamphetamine while living in Crow Agency were appointed federal public defenders on Monday.
Kevin Torres-Ochoa, 27, and Mary Elizabeth Rock Big Man, 36, both face felony drug charges in U.S. District Court in Billings.
When questioned by detectives, Torres-Ochoa referred to Big Man as his wife.
During a September traffic stop, Big Man was arrested on a warrant out of Big Horn County for embezzlement.
At the jail, Big Man was allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine.
On Thursday, FBI agents executed a search warrant of Big Man’s home on Long Street in Crow Agency.
Agents located several scales throughout the home that are believed to be used in drug distribution operations.
While conducting the search, agents encountered Big Man and Torres-Ochoa.
Big Man was transported to the Yellowstone County jail.
On the way to jail, Big Man allegedly told authorities that she had been a methamphetamine addict since she was about 14 years old.
She said she met Torres-Ochoa and began having a relationship with him.
Big Man said she then began receiving and storing small amounts of methamphetamine for Torres-Ochoa and two of his associates.
The woman worked at Sarpy Storage in Hardin, where she allegedly kept at least 3 lbs of drugs for the men.
FBI agents determined that Torres-Ochoa was receiving the shipments of methamphetamine from a distributor in San Jose, CA.
At the time of his arrest, Torres-Ochoa told investigators that he had been living in Crow Agency for about eight months.
Torres-Ochoa initially denied his involvement in drug sales, but later allegedly admitted he had received about 5 or 6 lbs of methamphetamine through the mail at a P.O. Box.
He allegedly admitted he was paid between $500 and $700 for each package he received and transferred to co-conspirators.
Torres-Ochoa then said he began receiving methamphetamine instead of cash payment, which he allegedly sold $4,000 per ounce.
Torres-Ochoa said he’d ceased working with the California drug dealers two months prior to his arrest.
Torres-Ochoa and Big Man are being held at the Yellowstone County jail without bond.
http://www.ktvq.com/story/33411353/couple-charged-with-operating-methamphetamine-scheme-from-crow-agency
