Dean Frederick Deschampe, Sr., 46, of Grand Portage pled guilty to felony possession of the pain reliever OxyContin, a controlled substance, in St. Louis County District Court on September 29. Deschampe is scheduled to appear for sentencing on Wednesday, October 20.
According to the Duluth News-Tribune,
Deschampe has reached a plea agreement with the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for deferred prosecution as a first-time drug offender and because he eligible for probation.
Judge Mark Munger ordered Deschampe to cooperate with an Arrowhead Regional Corrections officer who was instructed to investigate Deschampe’s background before the October 20 sentencing.
Deschampe pled guilty to the charges that he purchased 10 OxyContin 80mg pills for $700 on September 9. According to a Lake County Sheriff ’s Office informant, Deschampe traveled to Duluth once a week to purchase the drug.
With Deschampe was Anita Ellen Shearer, 38, who was also charged with allegedly illegally purchasing the prescription drug. Shearer has entered a plea of not guilty. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 6.
At the time of the arrest, Deschampe was serving as the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Reservation Tribal Council secretary-treasurer. According to Tribal Council Vice-President John Morrin, Deschampe submitted a letter of resignation. A special election will be held on December 7 to fill the vacant council seat.
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