Final Defendant from Operation "Spa City Special" Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

            El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Tyrong Godbold, aka “Bull”, age 43, of Hot Springs, was sentenced today on one count of Distribution of Cocaine Base to 108 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.  The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.

            Beginning in March of 2012, the Hot Springs Street Crimes Unit in conjunction with the ATF launched an investigation in response to the emerging gang violence and drug trafficking. Over 80 controlled buys of crack cocaine and methamphetamine were conducted during the course of this investigation. The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 500 grams of crack cocaine, seven vehicles valued at over $50,000, 17 firearms, methamphetamine, and over $15,000 in cash.  24 defendants were originally charged in state and federal court in this operation called the Spa City Special. Godbold was the final defendant to be sentenced. 

            This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

*  *  *    E N D    *  *  *

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov