Federal Indictment Charges 13 Wichita Falls Residents in a Drug Conspiracy

Federal Indictment Charges 13 Wichita Falls Residents in a Drug Conspiracy

          WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Thirteen defendants were charged earlier this week in a one-count federal Indictment, for their role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution conspiracy announced Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas today at a press conference.

Twelve of the thirteen individuals were arrested and made their initial appearance in federal court in Wichita Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hal R. Ray, Jr.  Eleven still remain in custody.  One defendant is still at-large.

Those arrested include:

Lawrence Martin Boone, 51, Wichita Falls, Texas

Alicia Lane Murfield, 24, Wichita Falls, Texas

Ashleh Dawn Bowen 22, Wichita Falls, Texas

Charles Cheatle 43, Wichita Falls, Texas

Allyssa Marie Curry, also known as “Allyssa Marie Rogers” 29, Wichita Falls, Texas

Alexis Leigh Deleon 24, Wichita Falls, Texas

Brandon Shane Eustice 32, Wichita Falls, Texas

Michael David House 33, Wichita Falls, Texas

Michael Steven Mello 49, Wichita Falls, Texas

Justin Brian Onstead 23, Wichita Falls, Texas

Jason Alan Smith 44, of Abilene, Texas

Timothy Wayne Tatom 55, Wichita Falls, Texas

          According to the Indictment filed in the case, the conspiracy began in March 2017, and operated until approximately January 10, 2018.  The Indictment also contains a forfeiture notice that includes seven handguns and over $20,000 of U.S. Currency. 

          “These arrests are the results of a 14-month joint investigation with state, local and federal authorities,” stated U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox.  “We have invested additional resources to fight the trafficking of dangerous drugs and violent crime in Wichita Falls, and we are now seeing the results of this increased presence.”

            A federal criminal Indictment is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged.  A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.

           If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

           Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigation Division; Wichita Falls PD; Wichita County District Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Division; Rhome PD; and the Iowa Parks PD are investigating.  Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Rachael Jones is in charge of the prosecution.

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