Drug Traffickers Sentenced To 30 Years In Federal Prison

Hot Springs, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Shaun Booth, age 30, of Hot Springs, Arkansas was sentenced on June 26, 2018 to 90 months in federal prison followed by three  years of supervised release, on one count of Aiding and Abetting the Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Steven Taylor, age 36, of Maud, Texas was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Kelsey Williams, age 24, of Olive Branch, Mississippi was sentenced on June 25, 2018 to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

According to court records, on June 7, 2016, officers with the 18^th East Judicial Drug Taskforce in Garland County executed a state search warrant at the Economy Inn located in Hot Springs, which is within the Western District of Arkansas. Upon entry into the room, officers made contact with co-conspirator, Booth, who was the lone occupant of the room and in the far bed of the room. Booth had a valid warrant for his arrest and was placed in custody. During execution of the warrant, officers located a large amount of methamphetamine, as well as numerous items of drug paraphernalia. During the investigation agents learned that the methamphetamine had been brought in from Texas by Taylor and Williams and dropped off at the Economy Inn for further distribution by Booth. Investigators also learned that Taylor had the room rented in his name and had a key to the room.

The methamphetamine seized in this case was sent to the Arkansas State Crime lab where it tested positive for methamphetamine.

Booth, Taylor and Williams were all indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2016 and pled guilty in 2017.

This case was investigated by the 18^th East Judicial Drug Taskforce.  Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.