United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

TWO MORE MEMBERS OF
WICHITA FALLS METHAMPHETAMINE RING SENTENCED

Defendant Clinton Ray Goswick Sentenced to Nearly 25 Years
in Federal Prison, Without Parole

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that two defendants who were convicted on charges related to their involvement in a methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution ring that operated in Wichita Falls, Texas, were sentenced on Friday in federal court in Dallas. The Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer, United States Senior District Judge, sentenced the two defendants as follows:

• Clinton Ray Goswick, age 47, of Wichita Falls, 295 months imprisonment

• Wendell Floyd Smith, age 45, of Wichita Falls, 108 months imprisonment

In September 2005, a federal grand jury in Dallas returned a one-count superseding indictment charging Goswick and Smith, along with nine co-defendants, each with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

In April 2002 the defendants began a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in the Wichita Falls area. During the course of the conspiracy, Goswick, Smith and others were caught by local authorities with methamphetamine or with supplies, chemicals and equipment used to manufacture the illicit substance. Further, local authorities learned that Goswick, Smith and their co-conspirators were distributing what they had manufactured to others for monetary profit. The nine other defendants in the case are Michael Keith Smith, Shannon Ray Long, Ronald Jason Baker, Ronald Steve Berry, Fredrick William Sturm, Jr., Dustin James Broadhurst, Terry Sheldon Ewing, Phillip Clayton Hincks, and Robert Patrick Shirey.

 A federal jury convicted Goswick in June for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At trial, the government presented evidence that Goswick allowed others to manufacture methamphetamine in his garage, and investigators discovered chemicals and equipment in the garage that were used to manufacture the drug. When Goswick was arrested in February 2005 at the home of a co-conspirator in Cotton County, Oklahoma, investigators discovered methamphetamine, as well as supplies, chemicals, and equipment used to make the drug, along with firearms used to protect their “cooks,” manufacturing episodes. Judge Buchmeyer sentenced Goswick to 235 months imprisonment on the drug conspiracy conviction to be followed by 60 months imprisonment on the firearms conviction.

Defendant Shannon Ray Long, 33, of Iowa Park, Texas, who also pled guilty to his role in the conspiracy, was sentenced in March to 30 years imprisonment. Ronald Jason Baker was sentenced last month to 108 months imprisonment; Dustin James Broadhurst was sentenced in May to 188 months imprisonment; Phillip Clayton Hincks was sentenced in May to 63 months imprisonment and Robert Patrick Shirey was sentenced in August to 121 months imprisonment. Defendants Michael Keith Smith, Ronald Steve Berry, Fredrick William Sturm, Jr., and Terry Sheldon Ewing have pled guilty to their role in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the North Texas Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Tromblay.

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