An Anchorage resident, Richard Frye, 36, pleaded guilty last week to conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin in Alaska. The drug trafficking operation was allegedly directed by an inmate based in California.
Court records state that on March 23, 2023, Frye and co-conspirator Tiffani Couch drove Anna Petla to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Petla was stopped by law enforcement inside the airport before boarding a flight to Sand Point. Officers found nearly 3,000 blue fentanyl pills and over 80 grams of methamphetamine in her backpack.
Frye and Couch were detained outside the airport after officers searched their vehicle and discovered more than 500 blue fentanyl pills along with over 40 grams of other controlled substances.
On June 9, 2023, police conducted a traffic stop involving Frye and Couch in Anchorage. During the search of their vehicle, officers recovered about 1,400 blue fentanyl pills, more than 12 grams of other controlled substances, and two loaded ammunition magazines. Authorities said Frye intended to distribute these drugs within Alaska for the organization.
Following this traffic stop, both Frye and Couch were arrested. While being processed at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, staff detected a suspicious mass in Frye’s stomach through a body scan. It was determined that he had ingested fentanyl and suboxone wrapped in cellophane and condoms with plans to distribute them inside the facility.
After posting bail and being released from custody, Frye was ordered detained again after a court hearing on June 23, 2023. Two days later, correctional officers found that he attempted to smuggle approximately 70 suboxone strips into detention for distribution.
Court documents also reveal that between December 2022 and March 2023 Frye used digital money transfers to send over $8,800 across thirty-four transactions to a co-conspirator’s account while receiving nine transfers totaling more than $1,000 from the same individual. Sentencing for Frye is set for November 13, 2025; he faces up to twenty years in prison if convicted. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines as well as other legal factors.
Co-defendants include Couch of Anchorage—who pleaded guilty on May 9, 2025—and Petla of Dillingham—who pleaded guilty on June 4, 2025—to conspiracy charges related to drug distribution; they are scheduled for sentencing on January 22 and September 16 of next year respectively.
“U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford of the District of Oregon made the announcement.” “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska has been recused from this case with the exception of certain personnel.” “Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Clymer from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York has been appointed as Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General to assist with this and other recused cases.” “He reports to and acts under the direction of the Deputy Attorney General, or his delegee, or U.S. Attorney Bradford in these cases.” “Special Attorney Clymer supervises personnel from the District of Alaska who have been exempted from the recusal.”
Multiple agencies contributed to investigating this case: Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Division Office and Anchorage District Office; FBI Anchorage Field Office; IRS Criminal Investigation Seattle Field Office; U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division and Anchorage Domicile; Homeland Security Investigations Anchorage; Alaska State Troopers; and Anchorage Police Department.
Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephan Collins, Chris Schroeder and Alana Weber.
