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Press Release

Former Police Officer Sentenced to 144 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

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

FAYETTEVILLE – A Huntsville man was sentenced today to 144 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court documents, In March of 2021, the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF) began investigating a drug trafficking organization operating within the Western District of Arkansas, Fayetteville Division. Through source reporting, investigators learned that the defendant, Skylar Houston, was a member of the organization.

In March of 2021, detectives with the DTF conducted two separate controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Houston.  On April 1, 2021, detectives arrested Houston and located a firearm in his possession.  That day, detectives executed a search warrant at Houston’s residence in Johnson.  During execution of the search warrant, detectives seized over 7 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 4 pounds of marijuana, 1,485 Xanax pills, LSD, mushrooms and steroids.  Two additional firearms were also seized during execution of the warrant.  The drugs were locked in a safe for future distribution by the organization.  

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Updated August 18, 2022

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Opioids
Drug Trafficking