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Press Release

More Defendants Sentenced Today In Major Methamphetamine Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Four additional defendants, who pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a major methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that they operated in Wichita Falls, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

The following defendants were sentenced today:

  • Kimberly Williams, 26, sentenced to 72 months in federal prison
  • Sergio Arias, 27, sentenced to 170 months in federal prison
  • Diana Gail Hassell, 45, sentenced to 78 months in federal prison
  • Patrick Herrian, 37, sentenced to 110 months in federal prison

Williams and Arias each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine. Hassell and Herrian each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute and to possess with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

Williams admitted that on multiple occasions between October 26, 2011, and August 23, 2012, she delivered quantities of methamphetamine, and picked up payments for methamphetamine, from customers in the Wichita Falls area. She also admits that on August 7, 2012, co-conspirator Dock Buckaloo delivered a quantity of methamphetamine to co-defendant’s Steve Ysasaga at Ysasaga’s house in Arlington, Texas. After Buckaloo delivered the methamphetamine, it was concealed in a Power Pack and placed in the rear of Ysasaga’s white Chevrolet pick-up truck. Later in the day, Ysasaga, accompanied by Williams in the front seat and another female in the back seat, drove the truck to Wichita Falls. The vehicle was stopped in Wichita Falls for a traffic violation and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers arrested Ysasaga on an outstanding warrant. A drug detection canine alerted on the truck and a search resulted in DPS seizing approximately 529 grams of methamphetamine that was concealed in the Power Pack.

While Troopers were searching the truck, Williams informed them that she had methamphetamine concealed in her body cavity. A later analysis revealed that she had 4.73 grams of methamphetamine concealed in her body. Troopers also found pages of notes in Williams’ purse that identified 13 individuals and amounts of money they owed Ysasaga for methamphetamine.

On August 13, 2012, in a transaction brokered by Buckaloo, Arias, a supplier, agreed to deliver two pounds of methamphetamine to Ysasaga, at his Arlington residence, for $23,000. That afternoon, Buckaloo picked up Arias who intended to accompany Buckaloo in delivering the methamphetamine to Ysasaga. However, at approximately 3:45 p.m., DPS agents initiated a traffic stop in Arlington of Buckaloo’s car. A drug detection canine alerted and approximately 894 grams of methamphetamine was found in a container that Arias had placed in the trunk of the car.

Hassell admitted that on at least 10 occasions in 2011, she allowed co-conspirators Randall Wayne Ezzell and James Allen Stafford to use her residence in Wichita Falls to manufacture methamphetamine, and in return, she received a quantity of the methamphetamine generated from the cooks. In fact, on December 5, 2011, when a state search warrant was executed at her residence, she, Ezzell and Stafford were present when law enforcement discovered a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in operation.

Herrian admitted that on multiple occasions between July 2011 and June 19, 2012, he received quantities of methamphetamine from Ysasaga and distributed it to co-conspirators Tommy Vasquez, Corey Peeler and others in the Wichita Falls area. Herrian also admitted that on three occasions, he sold methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer, and on another occasion, he sold not only methamphetamine, but three firearms and ammunition to an undercover officer.

To date, 29 of the 39 defendants charged in this conspiracy have entered guilty pleas; a total of 27 defendants have been sentenced. The case against one defendant has not been resolved.

This Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Wichita Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary F. Walters is in charge of the prosecution.

Updated June 22, 2015