An Anchorage man, Rodney Godwin, 51, has been sentenced to an additional 20 years in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing over eight kilograms of illegal drugs in Alaska. This new sentence will be served consecutively to a previous 20-year term he is already serving.
Court documents indicate that between April and December 2023, Godwin organized and operated the drug trafficking ring while under indictment for another drug-related crime. The group imported and distributed significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin within the state. Authorities also found that Godwin possessed several firearms connected to his activities.
Godwin was arrested on September 12, 2023, after failing to appear for sentencing in a separate federal case. At the time of his arrest, he attempted to flee from law enforcement but was apprehended following a short pursuit. Officers recovered approximately $6,000 in cash on him and found a loaded handgun nearby. That same day, he was sentenced in absentia to 20 years for his earlier conviction.
Further investigation led law enforcement officers to search Godwin’s vehicle and one of two motorhomes used in his operation. They discovered more than $192,000 in cash, large amounts of drugs, and multiple firearms at these locations. Even after being taken into custody, Godwin continued directing the organization from jail.
On May 23, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Godwin along with seven co-defendants on related charges. On May 10, 2025, he pleaded guilty to engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. During sentencing proceedings this week, the court ordered that his new sentence be served consecutively with his previous one. The judge highlighted Godwin’s lengthy criminal record and emphasized that repeated offenses by those running drug operations would result in severe penalties.
“Mr. Godwin has a long criminal history and chose to continue to engage in conduct that placed our community at risk, landing him in jail for nearly the rest of his life,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This sentence should serve as a warning to offenders in Alaska that my office, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state and local level, will be relentless in our efforts to keep our community safe from drug trafficking and violent crime.”
“Godwin oversaw the importation and distribution of dangerous drugs into and throughout Alaska, jeopardizing public safety in a profound way,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “For his actions, he will now spend decades in federal prison. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not allow criminals like Godwin to operate with impunity in our communities.”
Several co-defendants have entered guilty pleas or are awaiting sentencing: Calvin Oktollik pleaded guilty on July 28; Jennifer Godwin on July 11; Andrew Akulaw on November 18; Page Peak on July 30—all scheduled for future sentencing dates. Other defendants—Miles Apatiki (charged with conspiracy and money laundering), Reigna Archuleta (facing multiple charges including firearms violations), and David Henry—have cases still pending.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI Anchorage Field Office Safe Streets Task Force working alongside local police departments as well as other federal agencies such as IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Beausang and Mandy Mackenzie are prosecuting the case.
