United States Attorney John M. Bales
Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010                                 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txe                               PHONE: (409) 839-2538 CELL: (409) 553-9881

VAN  ZANDT COUNTY MAN GUILTY OF FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING

            TYLER, Texas – U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a 52-year-old Ben Wheeler, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas. 

RONALD JACK EDWARDS pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on Feb. 9, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

            According to information presented in court, from April 2008 until about April 2009, Edwards possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others in the Longview, Texas area.  A federal grand jury returned an indictment on May 6, 2009, charging him with federal drug trafficking crimes.

            Edwards faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing.  A sentencing date has not yet been set.

            This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Smith County Sheriff's Office, the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, the Canton Police Department, and the Dallas Police Department Gang Unit and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore.

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