Chad Abraham:
"An exotic lifestyle involving alleged offshore bank accounts and disposable cell phones makes a former Aspen man suspected in a local cocaine-trafficking ring a flight risk, a judge ruled Tuesday.
In denying bond for Montgomery Chitty, 60, of Big Pine Key, Fla., U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen Mix wrote that the defendant has a valid passport, allegedly has offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands and “has traveled out of the country on 13 occasions” since 1999.
Chitty was arrested Feb. 15 in Florida in connection with an investigation into an Aspen-area distribution ring. He pleaded not guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine......
.....But Mix, in her ruling, wrote that she was not assured that Chitty would appear for court hearings or that the safety of the community could be protected if he was released on bond.
Chitty has used at least one alias and has a felony conviction for importing marijuana, the ruling says. Mix also noted Chitty’s age and that he is facing, if convicted, a possible maximum life sentence.
In addition to “a history of moving from place to place,” Chitty “has repeatedly used false addresses ... has no known bank accounts in the United States, no credit cards, reports only $1,000 per month income from his daughter [and] uses only cash and disposable cell phones,” the ruling says.
Chitty also lied both about his identity and being a former law enforcement officer to his landlord in Florida, and has no stable employment, Mix found, citing evidence provided by the government.
Despite the letters of support, Chitty, who faces 10 years to life if convicted, did not contest his continued detention, Mix wrote....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label national political consultant Montgomery Chitty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national political consultant Montgomery Chitty. Show all posts
March 21, 2012
March 20, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "DEA used informant in Chitty case"
Chad Abraham:
"Federal drug agents used a confidential informant, phone taps and photographic surveillance in their investigation into a former Aspen resident accused of distributing kilos of cocaine.
Montgomery Chitty, 60, of Big Pine Key, Fla., pleaded not guilty on Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
In a pretrial motion filed Monday, Chitty’s attorney Matthew Belcher asked that federal prosecutors provide documents, photographs and other evidence the government plans to use at trial.
“The government states there was a confidential informant who was a participant in or a witness to the crime charged and that the informant may be called as a witness at trial,” the motion says.
Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spent a year investigating a Los Angeles-to-Aspen cocaine ring, and a grand jury indicted in April 10 people, six of whom live in the upper Roaring Fork Valley. Charges against one defendant were dropped, and the remaining Aspen-area residents have reached plea deals.
On Dec. 13, what may have been the same grand jury indicted Chitty, who was a friend of the late Hunter S. Thompson and a longtime political pundit in Aspen before he moved to Florida.
His role in the drug-trafficking operation happened from January 2000 until May 2011, though more specific allegations have not yet been released...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Federal drug agents used a confidential informant, phone taps and photographic surveillance in their investigation into a former Aspen resident accused of distributing kilos of cocaine.
Montgomery Chitty, 60, of Big Pine Key, Fla., pleaded not guilty on Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
In a pretrial motion filed Monday, Chitty’s attorney Matthew Belcher asked that federal prosecutors provide documents, photographs and other evidence the government plans to use at trial.
“The government states there was a confidential informant who was a participant in or a witness to the crime charged and that the informant may be called as a witness at trial,” the motion says.
Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spent a year investigating a Los Angeles-to-Aspen cocaine ring, and a grand jury indicted in April 10 people, six of whom live in the upper Roaring Fork Valley. Charges against one defendant were dropped, and the remaining Aspen-area residents have reached plea deals.
On Dec. 13, what may have been the same grand jury indicted Chitty, who was a friend of the late Hunter S. Thompson and a longtime political pundit in Aspen before he moved to Florida.
His role in the drug-trafficking operation happened from January 2000 until May 2011, though more specific allegations have not yet been released...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 19, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "DEA staying silent on investigation costs for cocaine ring"
Another thank you goes out to the DEA and Special Agent Jim Schrant.
Why?
For staying the course.
Carolyn Sackariason:
"...Claiming that it’s still pursuing arrests in Aspen for alleged cocaine dealing, the Drug Enforcement Administration has refused to disclose expenditures related to the investigation that led to the apprehension of six locals last year.
The Aspen Daily News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request last July with the DEA, two months after six area residents were arrested for allegedly being part of a Los Angeles-to-Aspen drug ring that streamlined kilos of cocaine to the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
The July 15 request asked the federal agency to provide all documents and information that tracks taxpayer dollars spent by the DEA concerning the Aspen drug ring investigation from January 2010 to the present day. The request asked for expenses on accommodations, meals, travel and other costs associated with the investigation in Aspen.
Two weeks later, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice informed the Daily News that because of a backlog of requests and that “unusual circumstances” applied to the Daily News’ query, it would take six months to provide the information. The federal agency said the unusual circumstances were that the information would have to be retrieved from DEA field offices or third-party sites.
In a certified letter dated March 5, the DEA through the Department of Justice informed the Daily News that the information is part of “an active ongoing investigation,” and a detailed account of financial information could possibly identify individuals involved in the probe.
The DEA’s FOIA/records management section withheld 66 pages but did provide one page of dollar amounts, including one line with the number $75,043. Officials wouldn’t say what the numbers refer to (see scanned copy opposite).
Jim Schrant, resident agent in charge of the DEA’s Grand Junction office, said he couldn’t provide any clarity to the expenditure amounts.
“These are going to be the numbers that we’re obligated to provide,” Schrant said. Disclosing anything more, due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the information, would compromise the investigation and the techniques employed by the DEA, he said.
Schrant confirmed that the investigation in Aspen is ongoing and the DEA is “looking into additional arrests.” The latest arrest in the investigation was of former Aspen resident Montgomery Chitty, 60, on Feb. 13 in the Florida Keys after a grand jury handed down a separate indictment related to the same year-long investigation into the drug ring...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Why?
For staying the course.
Carolyn Sackariason:
"...Claiming that it’s still pursuing arrests in Aspen for alleged cocaine dealing, the Drug Enforcement Administration has refused to disclose expenditures related to the investigation that led to the apprehension of six locals last year.
The Aspen Daily News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request last July with the DEA, two months after six area residents were arrested for allegedly being part of a Los Angeles-to-Aspen drug ring that streamlined kilos of cocaine to the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
The July 15 request asked the federal agency to provide all documents and information that tracks taxpayer dollars spent by the DEA concerning the Aspen drug ring investigation from January 2010 to the present day. The request asked for expenses on accommodations, meals, travel and other costs associated with the investigation in Aspen.
Two weeks later, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice informed the Daily News that because of a backlog of requests and that “unusual circumstances” applied to the Daily News’ query, it would take six months to provide the information. The federal agency said the unusual circumstances were that the information would have to be retrieved from DEA field offices or third-party sites.
In a certified letter dated March 5, the DEA through the Department of Justice informed the Daily News that the information is part of “an active ongoing investigation,” and a detailed account of financial information could possibly identify individuals involved in the probe.
The DEA’s FOIA/records management section withheld 66 pages but did provide one page of dollar amounts, including one line with the number $75,043. Officials wouldn’t say what the numbers refer to (see scanned copy opposite).
Jim Schrant, resident agent in charge of the DEA’s Grand Junction office, said he couldn’t provide any clarity to the expenditure amounts.
“These are going to be the numbers that we’re obligated to provide,” Schrant said. Disclosing anything more, due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the information, would compromise the investigation and the techniques employed by the DEA, he said.
Schrant confirmed that the investigation in Aspen is ongoing and the DEA is “looking into additional arrests.” The latest arrest in the investigation was of former Aspen resident Montgomery Chitty, 60, on Feb. 13 in the Florida Keys after a grand jury handed down a separate indictment related to the same year-long investigation into the drug ring...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 14, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "DEA: Montgomery Chitty, former Aspen resident, had role in local cocaine ring"
From the looks in 'the mailbox' this morning, there are quite a few area residents who are nodding their heads in agreement.
"Keep digging..now you're getting in...more power and big money to go....stay the course"
Chad Abraham:
"A former Aspen man and national political consultant was arrested Monday in Florida for allegedly playing a role in a drug ring that streamlined kilos of cocaine to the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
Montgomery Chitty, 60, described in one book as a longtime friend of the late Hunter S. Thompson, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
The charge arises out of a year-long federal investigation into a Los Angeles-to-Aspen cocaine operation that resulted in the grand jury indictments of 10 people, including six from the Aspen area. Seven people arrested in May have since pleaded guilty as a result of plea agreements.
On Dec. 13, a federal grand jury in Denver returned a one-count indictment against Chitty.
A 2009 article in the Aspen Daily News described Chitty as a longtime political pundit and a former consultant to the Democratic National Committee. He was also Thompson’s longtime friend, according to “Outlaw Journalist” by William McKeen.
Newspaper archives show he also wrote letters to the editor decrying developers and various projects.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested Chitty in Big Pine Key, Fla., says a press release from the U.S. attorney’s office.
Chitty appeared in U.S. District Court in Key West, Fla., on Monday, and was being held without bond...."
(Read more? Click title?)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Keep digging..now you're getting in...more power and big money to go....stay the course"
Chad Abraham:
"A former Aspen man and national political consultant was arrested Monday in Florida for allegedly playing a role in a drug ring that streamlined kilos of cocaine to the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
Montgomery Chitty, 60, described in one book as a longtime friend of the late Hunter S. Thompson, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
The charge arises out of a year-long federal investigation into a Los Angeles-to-Aspen cocaine operation that resulted in the grand jury indictments of 10 people, including six from the Aspen area. Seven people arrested in May have since pleaded guilty as a result of plea agreements.
On Dec. 13, a federal grand jury in Denver returned a one-count indictment against Chitty.
A 2009 article in the Aspen Daily News described Chitty as a longtime political pundit and a former consultant to the Democratic National Committee. He was also Thompson’s longtime friend, according to “Outlaw Journalist” by William McKeen.
Newspaper archives show he also wrote letters to the editor decrying developers and various projects.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested Chitty in Big Pine Key, Fla., says a press release from the U.S. attorney’s office.
Chitty appeared in U.S. District Court in Key West, Fla., on Monday, and was being held without bond...."
(Read more? Click title?)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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