Trial begins in drug ring case

Opening arguments in one of the city's largest organized crime trials in recent history are expected to begin today in Juneau Superior Court.

Aaron Washington, 42, and Vonnie Williams, 44, are accused of running a large drug-smuggling operation that for several years used women as drug mules to import cocaine, sometimes by hiding drugs in their body cavities during flights to Juneau.

Tuesday marked the second straight day of jury selection, which Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins said she hoped would be finished by today. The trial is scheduled to take three weeks and involve the testimony of several witnesses.

Washington and Williams were indicted in March on 36 counts related to drug dealing, including operating a "continuing criminal enterprise." If convicted, the pair could face up to 99 years in prison.

Washington was convicted in July of dealing cocaine to a police informant in a separate case.

Williams pleaded guilty in May to charges of drug possession and helping to steal checks in another separate case.

In August, Washington's attorney, William Carey, said in a pre-trial hearing that his client was prepared to make a deal with the state and plead guilty to some of the charges against him. But Juneau District Attorney Doug Gardner withdrew the offer after he said Carey and Washington had taken too long to give him a definitive answer.

During the same hearing, Williams said he and his court-appointed lawyer, Thomas Schulz, were having differences of opinion and could no longer work together. But Schulz has remained Williams' lawyer.

Both men are being held at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center. In previous court appearances, authorities said Washington threatened a witness over the phone from the facility and Williams had continued to direct drug deals from the state prison.

• Contact reporter Alan Suderman at 523-2268 or e-mail alan.suderman@juneauempire.com.