United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

DALLAS WOMAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS
IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE, FOR ROLE IN
METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

FORT WORTH, Tx. — Dallas, Texas, resident, Rebecca Jackson, was sentenced on Friday in Fort Worth, by U.S. District Judge John McBryde, to 360 months (30 years) in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Jackson, 48, pled guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. She is one of 17 defendants who were charged and convicted for their role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in North Texas.

The ring leader of the operation, Riland Dale Martin, 53, of Arlington, Texas, was sentenced last month by Judge McBryde to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of methamphetamine.

A total of 17 defendants were charged in the nine-count superseding indictment which was returned by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth in February. All defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and all were either charged with an additional count of distribution of a controlled substance or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. One of the defendants was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. All defendants have pled guilty to one or more of the charges and are awaiting sentencing. Five defendants who pled guilty to their role in the conspiracy, Melanie English, Teresa Smitherman, Gracie Walker, Vicki Robertson and Rick Smirl, are scheduled to be sentenced this Friday, July 27, by Judge McBryde.

According to documents filed in Court, beginning in January 2006 and continuing until in or around December 2006, Riland Dale Martin conspired with Jerry Wayne Blanton, Jeremy Michael Hays, Rebecca Jackson, Melanie English, Teresa Smitherman, Gracie Walker, Franklin Pearce, Daniel Hall, Rebecca Ramos, Michael Shanowat, Teresa Smith, Vicki Robertson, Byron Chrisenberry, Rick Smirl, Lynn Smirl, and Roberto Perez, and agreed to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Rebecca Jackson admitted that between May and October 2006, she sold Riland Dale Martin approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks.

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