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Press Release

Hackett Man Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Arkansas

Fort Smith, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Bruce Wheeler, age 42, of Hackett, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 22, 2019 to 188 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.

According to court records, in May 2018, a Bonanza Police officer was patrolling when he observed a motorcycle travelling at a high rate of speed. The police officer pursued the motorcycle to conduct a traffic stop. After a pursuit, the officer observed the motorcycle laid on a curve near the Oklahoma state line. The officer observed Wheeler attempting to get back on the motorcycle, and placed him in custody. The officer discovered five zip lock bags containing suspected methamphetamine under the back seat of the motorcycle. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to DEA Southwest laboratory, where it was confirmed to be 741 grams of actual methamphetamine. 

Wheeler was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2018, and entered a guilty plea in January 2019.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bonanza Police Department, Fort Smith Police Department, Sebastian County Sherriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the 12th/21st Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the United States.

Updated May 28, 2019

Topic
Drug Trafficking