FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

June 22, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

THREE INDICTED FOR CONSPIRACY TO MANUFACTURE
AND DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE

BALTIMORE, Maryland - A federal grand jury indicted Thomas James Roman, age 26, of Raeford, North Carolina, Donald Ross Evans, age 21, of Pikeville, North Carolina, and Valarie Ann James, age 24, of Goldsboro, North Carolina today for crimes committed in connection with a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

The three-count indictment charges Evans, James and Roman with conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of materials used to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on June 8, 2006 a Harford County sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop and arrested the driver of the car, Valarie Ann James for driving under the influence. A search of the car recovered a small quantity of methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as a propane style tank containing anhydrous ammonia and a shotgun shell. A receipt dated June 8, 2006, was also recovered and listed numerous products and paraphernalia which are used in the production of methamphetamine. James advised officers that she, Roman and Evans, friends from North Carolina, were traveling to New York and stopped in Harford County to rest. Throughout the day they had been purchasing pseudoephedrine in locations throughout Maryland and Virginia. James advised that they were staying at the Super 8 Motel on Pulaski Highway. It was also learned that Evans and Roman were armed with a shotgun and a handgun inside the motel room.

A search warrant was executed at their room in the motel, after Evans and Roman exited the room and were detained. Recovered were lithium strips, at least 2 one gallon containers of Coleman fuel, and in excess of 200 tablets of pseudoephedrine. Also found in the room was a police style pistol-grip shotgun, loaded with five shells.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine is 40 years in prison and a fine of $2,000,000. The maximum penalty for possession of materials used to manufacture methamphetamine is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and the maximum penalty for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The defendants will be scheduled for arraignment in this case within the next several weeks.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano and Gregory Welsh, who are prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—June 22, 2006