Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 27, 2007
Contact : Sue McKinney
ECSTACY DEALER CONVICTED
United States Attorney Maxwell Wood, Middle District of Georgia, announces that on September 26, 2007, RODERICK VANLOWEING RICKS, age 29, of Orlando, Florida was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in federal prison without parole.
Ricks entered a plea of guilty to possessing Ecstacy pills with intent to distribute. As part of the plea agreement, Ricks stipulated that on February 27, 2006 he was driving southbound on Interstate 75. Law enforcement attempted to make a traffic stop based on observed traffic violations at which time Ricks initiated a high speed chase. In order to avoid vehicles stopped on the exit ramp, Ricks recklessly drove his vehicle on the left side of the exit ramp onto the grass avoiding other vehicles that were stopped. Ricks’ vehicle then made a left turn onto Highway 36 passing a semi-tractor trailer. Officers observed a large bag being tossed out of Ricks’ vehicle. A short time later two smaller bags were also seen being thrown from Ricks’ vehicle. Ricks was apprehended in Jackson, Georgia.
Law enforcement searched the scene where the bags had been thrown out of the vehicle and recovered a large bag containing approximately five (5) pounds of “Ecstacy” (a.k.a. MDMA) pills and smaller bags containing marijuana.
Wood remarked that “ the defendant’s sentence reflects the aggressive stance his office will take to those who distribute Ecstacy in the Middle District of Georgia.”
The case was investigated by Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Officers from the Butts County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman.
Inquires regarding the case should be directed to Ms. Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office at (478) 752-3511.
