Juneau merchant Gema G. Thomas, 52, was jailed and is charged with a single count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and the federal government is moving to seize her commercial assets as the product of drug money, according to U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler.
She is accused of conspiring in July to distribute the drug in Juneau.
Thomas was arraigned in Federal District Court in Juneau before Magistrate Judge Leslie C. Longenbaugh.
Loeffer said in a release that the government will seek, under drug asset forfeiture laws, the property and inventory of Thomas’ downtown business, a tuxedo rental and bridal gown shop as “property derived from the proceeds from drug distribution.”
If convicted, Thomas faces up to a life sentence and a $10 million fine, but prosecutors say under federal sentencing guidelines her actual sentence would depend upon the seriousness of her offense and any prior criminal history.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Juneau Police Drug Metro Unit conducted the investigation.
Comments (47)
Add commentAlways wondered how a bead
Always wondered how a bead shop could afford that building and mc Donald's couldn't
Bag'em, book'em, convict'em, lock'em up and throw away the keys
Yet another scum bag making money by destroying lives.
Everyone is innocent till proven guilty and I am good with that. But if this person is guilty then I say max penanty. I don't care if this is the first time. Lock'em up!
Wow, she's up on federal
Wow, she's up on federal charges. I hope she can afford a good attorney. I agree with AKjustice. If this individual is found guilty, I hope she will get locked up for a long time. If I were her, I'd be trying to cop a plea. If she's convicted in a trial they will nail her. At her age, she's basically looking at life. I'd hate to get released from from prison at age 67 or 72 with no support network. Any way you stack things, it sucks to be her right now.
Not only that, but
Not only that, but unfortunately some of us have been to this persons establishments in Juneau not knowing that some or all of the products we've purchased may have originally been bought with drug money (meth money). Read the anchorage daily news article, it says the businesses this person owns in Juneau
question
So, could someone explain how this person can have one offense and we read about the same people getting busted repeatedly here? She is facing a life sentence and a 10million dollar fine. The others go in and out of jail like it's a revolving door. Why can't the Feds bust them? (and these are people that got busted at the airport!)
Hmmm. Business....beads and weeds
Selling drugs on Front Street. Didnt the restaurant next door get caught selling drugs too? Meth taki maki next door to beads and weeds.
McDonalds could not compete on rent.
Under the table
Sounds like the best money makers weren't the actual businesses but the under the table dealings. Weren't they both Meth? If both of these merchants were users they were possibly fueling their own habits...bet it can be a pricy habit. Was she selling weed too? If so it was most definitely a fundraiser.
Wow its about time
What took so long to charge "the bead lady"? Did she not recieve a pkg of drugs addressed in her name in the mail? Back in July ? Why was she not arrested with the motorcyclist that was invited over and handed salt n pepper shakers ? Somethings doesnt seem right there.
Nooow Wwwhhhaaaatt ?
Things seem to be going backwards , uphill ....and just not in the usual sequince of order on the arrest ladder..? Wouldnt you say ? Is the person who mailed the package going to be charged next? Seems only fair to me !
Assets. The feds have little interest in spending resources
on defendants needing public defenders.
This "lady" is all about the
This "lady" is all about the $$$$. She'd sell Grandma if the price was right.
Disgrace
This is the same lady that is renting a room in her run down house to a registered sex offender in a neighborhood with Elementary and Middle School children walking in front of it all day.. Now I understand why she does not seem to think it is a big deal when I contacted her.. I for one hope she gets the max punishment.. Shut down that drug business and send her away.. Good Ridence its time to clean this town up... This has been going on for way to long. Honestly did anyone really thing a BEAD store could afford that building with the price of rent.. If McDonalds could not make it there is no way that place could honestly make it.. Looks like Karma caught up to you have a good life at the Creek....
Might be a good time for me
Might be a good time for me to go through my rather large bead collection and sell them on the Juneau Buy Sell Trade page on Facebook......
Not EVEN CLOSE.....
The Motorcyclist was obviously tossed to the scrap bead pile when she was caught and immediatley he was used as her scape goat.... scentences like Mirandas are not given to the ones "turned on" like Ryan Burnette and the MOTORCYCLIST.... but rather to the ones "who turned" like Miranda Wilburn and The bead lady... DUH !
stop.celling drugs in this.town
U know how many young lives you dam people destroy. You.people make me sick
Remember Jesus’s teaching
Remember Jesus’s teaching that the only one in a position to condemn a sinner is the one without sin in themselves. “ judge not lest you be judge”
What a bunch of viciousness, you should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Drugs take hold of people; these people need our help not public humiliation and this savagery.
You people
Innocent until proven guilty. You do not know Gema. You do NOT know what kind of a person she is. You pontificating jerks make me sick. Please, crawl back under your rocks and stay there.
But you won't, so have a fine time ripping me apart.
Oh, yes. Juneau Empire, like te rest of you, can't get facts straight. But I suppose you believe all you hear and see on Fox news, too.
Yes, I do know Gema, her
Yes, I do know Gema, her husband Mike, and her kids...
Don't get off like we are just sitting passing idle, uninformed judgments. Every dealing I have ever had with Gema, or seen her do with ayone elsse, including her family, was solely for her benefit. Everything she does is for her benefit. That woman is ruled by money. Period. I really didn't think she was the type to get into drug pushing, but it is lucrative. It would suprise me if she is using though.
Mori88 - I know who Gema is
Mori88 - I know who Gema is and she is a very kind person. I am truly sorry to see this trouble in her life but it will pass.
It's not the load that breaks you down it's the way you carry it....
Please tell her some people are wishing the best for her and family.
Why would you be sorry.
Why would anybody feel sorry for her. Did somebody force who to conspire to distribute. No she made the decision on her own and now she will pay for it.. If you feel sorry for her go visit her in jail...
She may be kind
but she has ruined many lives in this town. Those that she distributed too, those that went to her for wedding dresses. My close friends wedding was nearly ruined due to her selfishness. She is choosing her own path, now she is paying the price. I feel for her children. What a terrible thing to choose to do to your family! Glad they caught her and hopefully this will lead to others being caught and taken off our streets! We need to take our community back!
legalize it
and this problem disappears. Legalize it all. Small government? Legalize drugs and watch the government shrink. Watch the 6th fastest growing industry in America, prisons, shrivel up overnight. Watch people like Gema stand on her own two feet again. Drugs are only lucrative because they are illegal. Take it away and the dealers disappear. Marijuana is easier to acquire for a high schooler than alcohol because dealers are so widespread. They don't ask for ID either...
Meth is a cheap drug to make. Legalize it. The illegality obviously doesn't stop people from using it. Legalize it and the dealers won't be pushing it the regular potheads.
If you don't support legalizing the drugs you might consider investing in prisons. If we don't start acting reasonably on this, all we'll have are a ton of prisons to pay for. Forget about welfare... forget about military... prisons will be the government handout of the future.
I know a side
of Gema that many seen, she was at time "ruthless" but she was, or is, a kind person, I had a business deal with her some time back, I got into drinking pretty bad, said some nasty things, but now that I can reflect on my life I called her earlier this year to apologize for my stupidity. I don't know what possessed her to do what she did, but I won't judge either, yes, lives were ruined, but honestly, does anyone know how long this been going on? Did she just start with that package? Was it going on 12 years ago? I'll admit there WAS a time I actually thought about doing what she did, but I would pray that the moment would pass, and it did, for me it was personal; she had a business. I'm not condoning what she did, but people will do desperate things in time of desperation, even stupid things. I'm glad I got to talk with Gema this year and apologize, I only hope I get to see her again, I won't judge than either, I'm far from perfect.
Questionable Journalism
I’m not willing to convict anyone based on the Juneau Empire’s “reporting” on anything or more especially, anyone. However, I wonder how a major drug bust ends up stuck on page 3 (small headline noted) and “real news” like a practice burn of a donated house or better yet, quasi-traditional Tlingit art on skateboards takes up a full one-quarter of page one. I hope she learns from this but what good will a lengthy sentence do now?
Gema & Michael & Peer-Amid
A few years ago, when I needed neurosurgery down at Virginia Mason in Seattle, but had not even the airfare to get there, Gema & Michael helped me out. Didn't even have to ask. Before their help, I could not walk. Now I can. These are good people with good hearts. Please, judge them with your own gentle hearts. Thanks.
..... good people with good
..... good people with good hearts....that sell meth to kids.
I guess...or I guess it used to go without saying...
"...Judge not lest ye..."...anyone remember the rest of that?
deadcats Asking People
To open their hearts yet they call them selves deadcats? Are you proud of the fact you had surgery that was paid for with drug money? Doesn't that make you an accessory to the fact?
"don't sell meth and you wont
"don't sell meth and you wont be judged at all"
It is "judge not, lest ye be
It is "judge not, lest ye be judged". Gee, think people in this good "Christian" town would know that. Or, perhaps, most of you are just self-righteous hypocrites. Yup, I'm sure... That's it.
Gema's biggest crime is being naive and gullible.
And, you... With the bridezilla friend. Shame on you.
I will pass on nice messages. The rest of you, go rot somewhere. Done reading this drivel.