Three Men Sentenced To 50 Years Combined In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that three men were sentenced to 600 months combined in federal prison followed by 11 years of supervised release for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.  The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), assisted by local law enforcement agencies, began investigating the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine in the Western District of Arkansas and Northern District of Oklahoma following the death of an individual from a suspected heroin overdose.  As a result, investigators identified Vernon Williams, age 50, Gabriel Whitener, age 35, and Aaron Bevill, age 37, as distributors of narcotics in Northwest Arkansas. 

In 2018, investigators conducted controlled drug purchases with Williams and Whitener.  Together, Williams and Whitener distributed 91.4 grams of actual methamphetamine and 21.59 grams of heroin during those controlled purchases.  In December 2018, Bevill drove Williams to California in order to obtain additional amounts of controlled substances.  Oklahoma Highway Patrol stopped Bevill and Williams on their way back to Northwest Arkansas.  A search of the vehicle revealed 6.2 grams of actual methamphetamine, 175.5 grams of heroin, and 883.9 grams of marijuana. 

Williams, of Watts, Oklahoma, was sentenced yesterday to 248 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Whitener, of Watts, Oklahoma, was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Bevill, of Bentonville, Arkansas, was sentenced this week to 148 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Williams, Whitener, and Bevill were indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2019.  They entered guilty pleas in March 2019. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Benton County Narcotics Task Force, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.