Nathan Norman, a 22-yearold Coeur d'Alene man accused of masterminding a major marijuana smuggling ring in North Idaho, was in federal court at 8 a.m. Friday to try to reach a deal to avoid a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Norman pleaded guilty to five of the 59 counts against him, including the major counts of conspiracy to import marijuana, conspiracy to distribute, and three money laundering and property forfeiture counts.

In U.S. District Court, these hearings tend to be brief: A judge recites all the civil rights and constitutional rights a person gives up by pleading guilty to felonies while defendants listen. So when the hearing ended, the morning was fresh enough that the north-south streets in downtown Coeur d'Alene were in deep blue shadow.

Frank Cikutovich, a Spokane attorney who represents Norman, walked through the pool of shadow outside the federal courthouse shaking his head. "I've never had a client where 54 counts against him are dismissed and yet he is still facing life in prison," he said.

The conspiracy charges of importing and distributing marijuana carry sentences of 25 years to life. Norman and Cikutovich are hoping for a sentence that ranges from 10 to 20 years.

FBI and Idaho State Police drug investigators believe Norman assembled men in their late teens and early 20s to carry marijuana across the Canadian border for sale locally and as far south as Southern California.

A lengthy affidavit obtained by The Spokesman-Review a year ago reveals that investigators believe the smugglers were tightly organized and moved more than a ton of Canadian-grown marijuana - known as B.C. bud - by hiking through the woods and fields at night. The organization made millions of dollars in profit, federal charging papers contend.

By mid-morning, not only had Norman decided to work on a plea deal with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Cook, so had Ben Scozzaro, 21, whom police see as another of the main players in the smuggling ring.

With the guilty pleas entered by Norman and Scozzaro Friday, 11 of the original 14 people named in a grand jury indictment last November have entered guilty pleas. Federal agents have arrested 24 people in this case with more arrests expected, they say.

Earlier in the week, Cikutovich said the number of co-defendants lining up to make statements against Norman prompted his client's change of plea.

"This is significant," ISP Detective Terry Morgan said after Norman's plea. "Some of the others were reluctant at first. They had a pact that they would stick together. But once it started crumbling," it led to a flurry of plea bargains, he said.

Norman remained in custody. Scozzaro, who traveled from Fresno, Calif., remained out on bail. Sentencing for both was set for July 13.

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