Defendants Face Possible Life In Prison For Drug Conspiracy And Firearms Possession

TULSA, Okla. — United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. announced the return of a superseding indictment against four men by a Federal Grand Jury on June 10, 2013.  The charges include drug conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine, and firearms possession.

Harold Edward Staples, III, 59, his son, Christopher Dean Staples, 29, Buel Dean Hamilton, 61, all of Tulsa, and T.J. Cain, 41, of Stillwell are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.  Harold Staples is also accused of firearms violations including illegal possession of machine guns, possession of unregistered silencers and a sawed-off rifle, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The defendants would face a mandatory minimum ten years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment if convicted.  Harold Staples would face additional charges with a minimum of 25 years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment.  Defendants would face the entry of a criminal forfeiture money judgment representing proceeds obtained as a result of the conspiracy and the forfeiture of four parcels of real property and over one hundred firearms, including machine guns, silencers and assault rifles.

After the superseding indictment was returned, the U.S. Government was made aware that Harold Staples died on the same day.  The U.S. Government will continue its prosecution against the remaining defendants.

A Grand Jury Indictment is one method of charging a defendant with alleged violations of Federal Law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendants’ presumption of innocence.