Twelve indicted In methamphetamine distribution and money laundering conspiracy
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has announced that twelve defendants, primarily residents of Haskell and Pittsburg Counties, have been indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and other controlled substances in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere. Drug Conspiracy is punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000,000 fine or both.
Eight of those defendants were also indicted for conspiracy to launder money and money laundering charges which are punishable by not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine greater of $500,000 or two-times the amount of the transaction or both. The indictment also charges two defendants with firearm offenses carrying punishment of not more than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $250,000 fine or both. A coordinated law enforcement operation to arrest the defendants charged in the indictment began this morning and is ongoing. A copy of the full indictment can be found online at https://go.usa.gov/xdYg4.
The indictment alleges the defendants were involved in a drug trafficking organization that utilized the United States mail to transport controlled substances from California to Oklahoma for distribution in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere. The indictment also alleges defendants utilized bank accounts and various wire transfer entities to facilitate the unlawful activities and launder the proceeds of the drug trafficking organization.
Defendants indicted are Kimberly Diana Noel, age 52, of Desert Hot Springs, California; Early Willard Woodmore, III, age 32, of Quinton, Oklahoma; Calvin James Woodmore, age 31, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Amber Nicole Woodmore, age 29, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Valerie Nacole Adcock, age 36, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Dennis Clyde Marshall, Jr., age 36, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Prentice Roland Keith, age 48, of Kinta, Oklahoma; Jimmie Ray Stephens, age 65, of Lewisville, Oklahoma; Tiffany Ann Meeks-Davis, age 32, of McAlester, Oklahoma; Michael Dewane Hunt, age 54, of Kinta, Oklahoma; Choice Lynn Needham, age 45, of Quinton, Oklahoma; and Janet Sue Troutt, age 60, of Rogers, Arkansas.
The charges arose from a joint investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (“BIA”), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (“OBN”), the National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office, the District 18 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police, the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the McAlester Police Department, and the Stigler Police Department. The investigation was part of and include members of the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking (“HIDTA”) Task Force.
“Methamphetamine continues to be the leading cause of death by overdose in Oklahoma. It is therefore imperative that the law enforcement community diligently investigate the drug trafficking organizations that push this poison into our communities,” said United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester. “I commend the DEA, its task force partners, and the many other agencies that assisted with this long term investigation. In rural Oklahoma this type of team work amongst federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies is key to our fight against the drug trade.”
“The arrest of Mr. Woodmore and his associates have undoubtedly made our communities safer and prevented the further destruction that methamphetamine can bring to neighborhoods in Eastern Oklahoma. The DEA will continue to work hand in hand with our law enforcement partners across the state to ensure justice is served,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge, Dallas Field Division.
“Today’s arrests send a clear message to those who attempt to launder illegal drug proceeds. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to uncovering the profits earned from illegal activity and prosecuting the criminals who try to hide them,” said Kevin Caramucci, IRS Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office. “We are pleased to join forces with our Federal, State and local law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue and crack down on drug dealing organizations in our communities.”
“It’s in our mission statement,” said Thomas Noyes, the Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Fort Worth Division, “to defend the U.S. Mail from being used to facilitate criminal activity in an effort to protect our communities. To this end, Postal Inspectors will spare no effort, and aggressively work towards dismantling criminal networks and seeking the maximum prosecution of offenders. We thank the U.S Attorney’s Office for their dedication, and are proud to be joined with the many federal, state and local agencies whose combined efforts brought this investigation to a successful resolution.”
Haskell County Sheriff Timothy Turner said, “This long-term investigation that began in Haskell County would not have been as great a success without the collaboration of local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies. I am thankful for those agencies that participated. As a result of our joint efforts, the citizens of Haskell County and Eastern Oklahoma are safer.”
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.
A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Submitted report