Pubdate: Sat, 16 Apr 2016
Source: Grand Forks Herald (ND)
Copyright: 2016 Grand Forks Herald
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/PmdVQo7l
Website: http://www.grandforksherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/513

PARENTS OF ANDREW SADEK WANT FBI TO TAKE OVER CASE

The parents of a North Dakota State College of Science student found 
dead of a gunshot after working as an undercover drug informant want 
the FBI to take over the investigation.

Andrew Sadek, a 20-year-old student at the Wahpeton community 
college, was a drug informant before he went missing in May 2014. 
About two months later, his body was found in the Red River near 
Wahpeton with a gunshot to his head.

His parents, Tammy and John Sadek, who live in Rogers, have said they 
believe their son was murdered, possibly because of his work as an 
informant. However, autopsy results offered no conclusion on whether 
someone killed him or whether he killed himself.

The Sadeks have retained a Florida attorney who specializes in cases 
involving young drug informants, Lance Block, who was at the press 
conference in Fargo on Friday, April 15.

Sadek's parents say they haven't received any updates on the 
investigation from local enforcement since last year, though they 
continue to provide investigators with tips. They think they're being 
stonewalled by investigators.

The case is being investigated by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal 
Investigation and NDSCS police. Block said the Sadeks are sending 
letters to both agencies, the FBI and the Fargo-based U.S. attorney's 
office requesting that federal authorities take over the investigation.

In April 2013, Sadek was allegedly caught selling small amounts of 
marijuana twice to another informant on the NDSCS campus. The sales 
totaled $80; one exchange involved 2.2 grams and the other 1.1 grams, 
according to court papers.

After being told he could face felony drug charges and a sentence of 
up to 40 years in prison if he didn't cooperate with the local drug 
task force, Sadek agreed to become an informant.

As an informant, Sadek bought marijuana three times between November 
2013 and January 2014. Then he stopped contacting the task force. He 
had at least two more drug buys left before the threat of charges 
would go away, authorities said.

Tammy Sadek has accused the task force of bullying her son into 
working as an informant. The North Dakota Attorney General's Office 
reviewed the task force's handling of the case and found no 
wrongdoing. Sadek's mother is now pushing for a state law that would 
restrict the use of college students as informants.

The case has attracted some national attention. It was featured on an 
episode of "60 Minutes" earlier this year.

Forum News Service
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom