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Seven Sentenced in Southeast Texas Meth Ring

U.S. Attorney’s Office May 26, 2009
  • Southern District of Texas (713) 567-9000

BEAUMONT, TX—U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that seven Southeast Texas men have been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas.  Four of those sentencing hearings were held today before U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.   

ARTHUR RICHARD GERNON, 42, of Colmesneil, pleaded guilty on Dec. 9, 2008, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison.

STEVEN ELDRIDGE HARVILLE, 50, of Silsbee, pleaded guilty on Dec. 10, 2008, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison.

EDDIE PEREZ, JR., 27, of Humble, pleaded guilty on Dec. 9, 2008, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced today to 264 months in federal prison.

JOHN WAYNE WATTS, 29, of Fred, pleaded guilty on Dec. 9, 2008, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, since approximately August 2007, the defendants have been part of a drug distribution ring distributing approximately 25 kilograms of methamphetamine in and around Southeast Texas.  A 9-count federal indictment was returned on May 28, 2008, charging 16 individuals with federal drug and gun crimes.

Those already sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy include: ALFRED RESENDEZ, 30, of Houston, sentenced on May 12, 2009, to 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; DAVID RYAN CORBETT, 44, of Colmesneil, sentenced on May 20, 2009, to 37 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and DARREN RUSSELL VOTAW, 25, of Hillister, sentenced on May 20, 2009, to 78 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

This case is being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.

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