North Carolina Women Sentenced For Dealing Meth In East Texas

   TYLER, Texas – Two North Carolina women have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Chelsea Elizabeth McDowell, 27, of Hickory, NC, and Sandra Christilov Sylvester, 41, of Lawndale, NC, pleaded guilty in November 2012 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  McDowell was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and Sylvester was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

            According to information presented in court, up until Jan. 29, 2011, McDowell and Sylvester conspired with others to assist in transporting methamphetamine and money obtained from selling drugs to East Texas.  During that time, both women were arrested in the Eastern District of Texas for possessing methamphetamine.  They each admitted to being responsible for distributing methamphetamine through East Texas to Atlanta, Georgia.  A federal indictment was returned on Apr. 11, 2012, charging them with federal drug crimes. 

            This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Baldwin.