Wichita Falls, Texas Couple to Serve Long Federal Prison Sentences on Drug Convictions

WICHITA FALLS, TX—Lafayette Sheppard, 32, and Latasha Wyatt, 29, both of Wichita Falls, Texas, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to 327 months and 360 months, respectively, for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. In handing down the sentences, Judge O’Connor cited each of the defendants’ extensive criminal histories.

Both Sheppard and Wyatt pled guilty to the offense in August 2010. According to documents filed with their pleas, on July 11, 2009, at approximately 5:30 a.m., police officers executed a search warrant at an apartment on Lincoln Street in Wichita Falls. Sheppard and Wyatt were in the master bedroom and loaded firearms were on nightstands, on either side of the bed. In addition, 61.70 grams of crack cocaine was found on top of a dresser and a digital scale was found in a dresser drawer.

Sheppard and Wyatt admitted that they possessed the crack cocaine with the intent to distribute it and that they possessed the firearms in furtherance of their drug-trafficking business, specifically to protect their inventory of crack cocaine and the profits from their drug-dealing business.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Wichita Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary F. Walters prosecuted.