United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

SAFE STREETS TASK FORCE ARRESTS ABILENE, TEXAS, MAN
CHARGED WITH FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY AND FIREARMS VIOLATIONS

LUBBOCK, Texas — U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper and Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Casey, Jr., of the Dallas FBI, announced that Randal Reagan Whitaker, who is charged in a federal indictment with several drug and firearm-related offenses, was arrested late Friday, without incident, at a vacant apartment in Abilene as a result of a “tip” to the Safe Streets Task Force in Abilene advising them where Whitaker could be located. The FBI had asked for the public’s assistance in locating Whitaker. This afternoon, Whitaker, 30, appeared in federal court for his initial appearance on those charges and it is anticipated that a detention hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

Randal Reagan Whitaker, a/k/a “Bob the Builder,” and co-defendant Michael Lynn Miller, Jr., a/k/a “Mumbling Mike,” are each charged, in an indictment returned on November 14, 2007, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Whitaker is also charged with being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and being a felon convicted of a crime of violence in possession of body armor. Miller, 27, is also charged with two counts of money laundering.

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. However, if convicted on all charges, Whitaker and Miller each face a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the Abilene Police Department and the Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of the FBI, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, for their efforts in locating and arresting Whitaker. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey R. Haag.

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