United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

NORTH TEXAS RESIDENTS SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON
IN METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

One Defendant Sentenced to More than 24 Years in Federal Prison

FORT WORTH, Tx. — In federal court today in Fort Worth, five individuals who were part of a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John McBryde, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas.

Gracie Walker, 49, of Granbury, Texas, was sentenced to 290 months (more than 24 years) in prison. She pled guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Rick Smirl, 56, of Wichita Falls, Texas, was sentenced to 216 months (18 years) in prison. He also pled guilty in April to the same offense.

Melanie English, 37, of North Richland Hills, Texas, was sentenced to 121 months (more than 10 years) in prison; Teresa Smitherman, 43, also of North Richland Hills, Texas, was sentenced to 97 months (more than eight years) in prison; and Vicki Robertson, 49, of Fort Worth, Texas, was sentenced to 96 months (eight years) in prison. All three pled guilty in April to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Rebecca Jackson, 48, of Dallas, was sentenced last week to 360 months (30 years) in prison and last month, the ring leader of the operation, Riland Dale Martin, 53 of Arlington, Texas, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison.

A total of 17 defendants were charged in the nine-count superseding indictment which was returned by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth in February. All defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and all were either charged with an additional count of distribution of a controlled substance or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. One of the defendants was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. All defendants have pled guilty to one or more of the charges. A total of nine of the 17 defendants have been sentenced; others will be sentenced later this summer.

1 According to documents filed in Court, beginning in January 2006 and continuing until in or around December 2006, Riland Dale Martin conspired with Jerry Wayne Blanton, Jeremy Michael Hays, Rebecca Jackson, Melanie English, Teresa Smitherman, Gracie Walker, Franklin Pearce, Daniel Hall, Rebecca Ramos, Michael Shanowat, Teresa Smith, Vicki Robertson, Byron Chrisenberry, Rick Smirl, Lynn Smirl, and Roberto Perez, and agreed to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks.

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