In the early morning hours of March 11, 2016, a 24-year-old Caucasian male named Austin Brant Forsman was killed at the Flying J truck stop in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The investigation into his death quickly revealed it was not an isolated incident, but rather a targeted murder connected to a significant methamphetamine trafficking operation in the area.
Law enforcement's probe into the homicide uncovered a drug conspiracy that led to the indictment of thirteen individuals.
The key figures charged in connection with Forsman's murder were Modesto Torrez, a 35-year-old from Angus, Minnesota, and Krystal Lynn Feist, a 32-year-old from Grand Forks. Prosecutors identified Torrez as the leader of the methamphetamine ring. Evidence presented during legal proceedings showed that Torrez had ordered the murder of Austin Forsman.
Krystal Lynn Feist pleaded guilty to her involvement in the drug conspiracy and the murder. For her role, she was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, which will be followed by five years of supervised release. Modesto Torrez was found guilty by a trial jury of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, and murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy. He received a life sentence for the drug conspiracy conviction and a consecutive life term for his role in orchestrating Forsman's murder.
