The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) began looking into a claim about a 19-year-old Lander resident, Zak Ilkka, selling drugs and possibly illegal firearms, on March 2, 2018.
In March, a person referred to in court documents as a “Confidential Informant” purchased one baggie, containing 1 gram of methamphetamine from a residence where Ilkka was staying.
The investigation on Illka continued until his eventual arrest in early December 2018.
After Ilkka’s December arrest, DCI agents were able to obtain several calls, text message, and Facebook message logs from Zak’s phone. In March, DCI said they found evidence that he was transporting drugs illegally from Colorado to Wyoming to sell, and was possibly selling firearms illegally.
In May, DCI confirmed that the substance sold to the informant tested positive as methamphetamine.
Between late September and early October 2018, Facebook messages obtained by DCI indicated that Ilkka had over 20 suspected sales of controlled substances. Substances included marijuana, methamphetamine, “mushrooms,” and other various narcotics. Messages over this time period also indicated that Zak continued to transport drugs from Colorado, and possibly California, to Wyoming and sell them. He also had inquired to at least one other person about buying a pistol, which he described as being “hot” or, illegal.
On October 24th, the confidential informant responded to an online offer from Ilkka to purchase marijuana at the same Lander residence that they had purchased methamphetamine in March. The informant purchased one baggie containing 28 grams of marijuana.
On December 6th, DCI agents obtained a search warrant for the house. The execution of the warrant found a safe containing approximately 2 pounds of marijuana.
Ilkka is being charged with one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine, one count of Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine, one count of Conspiracy to Deliver Marijuana, one count of Delivery of Marijuana, and one count of Possession of Felony Amount of Marijuana.
If convicted on all 5 charges, Ilkka faces up to 65 years of imprisonment and fines of up to $80,000.
On December 20th, Ilkka’s preliminary hearing was waived and transferred to District Court for arraignment at a later date.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.