United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

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

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

LAST DEFENDANT SENTENCED IN
WICHITA FALLS METHAMPHETAMINE DISTRIBUTION RING

Defendant Frederick William Sturm Sentenced to
More Than 24 Years in Federal Prison, Without Parole

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Frederick William Sturm, Jr., of Wichita Falls, Texas, was sentenced today in Dallas by the Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer, United States Senior District Judge, to 292 months imprisonment, without parole, for his part in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.

In September 2005, a federal grand jury in Dallas returned a one-count superseding indictment charging Sturm, along with 10 co-defendants, with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

From April 2002 through September 2005, Sturm and others conspired together to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in the Wichita Falls area. During the course of the conspiracy, Sturm and his co-conspirators were caught by local authorities on numerous occasions with methamphetamine or with supplies, chemicals, and equipment used to manufacture the illicit substance. Sturm and his co-conspirators were distributing what they had manufactured to others for monetary profit.

The 10 other defendants in the case have been sentenced, as follows:

• Michael Keith Smith 235 months imprisonment

• Shannon Ray Long 360 months imprisonment

• Ronald Jason Baker 108 months imprisonment

 • Ronald Steve Berry 97 months imprisonment

• Clinton Ray Goswick 295 months imprisonment

• Wendell Smith 108 months imprisonment

• Dustin Broadhurst 188 months imprisonment

• Terry Sheldon Ewing 324 months imprisonment

• Phillip Clayton Hincks 63 months imprisonment

• Robert Patrick Shirey 121 months imprisonment

On March 31, 2005, law enforcement officers apprehended Sturm with methamphetamine, which led to the search of the home of two unindicted co-conspirators, who admitted that they sold methamphetamine for Sturm and allowed their home to be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Prior to that, Sturm had been apprehended several times with methamphetamine and chemicals and supplies used to manufacture the drug, as well as digital scales and packaging material.

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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