James T. Jacks
Acting United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS DALLAS MAN OF SUPPLYING DRUGS
THAT KILLED SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY (SMU) STUDENT

DALLAS — Following a nearly two week-long jury trial before U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay, a federal jury has convicted James McDaniel, 48, of Dallas, on all counts of an indictment charging various drug and firearm offenses, including possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, announced Acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. In reaching its verdict, the jury found that McDaniel supplied lethal doses of cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone that resulted in the death of a 21-year-old Southern Methodist University (SMU) student, Meaghan Bosch, in May 2007.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jacks said, “The tragedy of drug abuse has touched more families in this country than most of us realize. Anyone who has witnessed the destructive power of drugs on a family member or loved one knows the feeling of helplessness in trying to save someone in the grip of such a force. Drug abusers are culpable for the choices they make in using drugs. That does not exonerate those who exploit and seek to profit from the misery and weakness of others.”

Jacks continued, “On occasion, a case comes along in which the extent of the criminality of the drug dealer as it relates to a drug user cannot be ignored. This was such a case. The evidence in this case shows the predatory nature of this defendant’s actions. His conduct, including his refusal to allow others to help Ms. Bosch in her final hours, is powerful evidence of his criminal heart and mind. Our sympathy goes out to the Bosch family as well as the other victims of this defendant’s actions. This was a case that demanded prosecution and I am grateful to the men of women of our office, as well as the agents and investigators who put so much in to the successful resolution of this case.”

McDaniel was convicted on one count of maintaining a drug-involved premise, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and fines; sentencing is set for September 8, 2009.

The government presented evidence at trial that Meaghan Bosch was last seen alive, but unconscious, at James McDaniel’s residence on Winton Street, near the SMU campus on Friday afternoon, May 11, 2007. On Monday, May 14, 2007, her body was found in a portable toilet by a construction worker in Hewitt, Texas, a small town near Waco, Texas, just over 100 miles south of Dallas. The autopsy report showed that Ms. Bosch died from toxic levels of cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. McDaniel’s DNA was found at the Hewitt, Texas, crime scene. Further DNA evidence showed that hair from McDaniel’s white pit bull puppy was found on a blanket that was partially wrapped around Ms. Bosch’s body. In addition, a spot of Ms. Bosch’s blood was found on McDaniel’s shorts.

As part of its case, the government presented evidence that McDaniel was a drug dealer who targeted SMU students. He ran a poker room at the Mockingbird Station Lofts, near SMU, and encouraged SMU students to attend.

Government witnesses testified that they saw Ms. Bosch snorting cocaine from a platter on McDaniel’s bed and smoking methamphetamine from a pipe he gave her around the same time as her family and friends lost track of her on May 10, 2007. A government witness testified that he saw Ms. Bosch lying unconscious on a bed at McDaniel’s residence on May 11, 2007. When other witnesses tried to take her to a hospital, McDaniel pulled out a gun, and said “You ain’t taking her anywhere,” and let her die.

The case was investigated by the Texas Rangers, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dallas Police Department, SMU Police Department, University Park Police Department, and the Hewitt Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon McCarthy, Jay Dewald, and Matthew Kacsmaryk are prosecuting the case.

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