Cabot Man Indicted on Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, Illegal Possession of Silencers, Operating an Illegal Gambling Business, Marriage Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, and Drug Distribution Charges

LITTLE ROCK—Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Thomas J. Browne, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today the unsealing of two indictments returned by a federal grand jury against George Wylie Thompson, age 64, of Cabot.

The indictments charge one count of being a felon in possession of 147 firearms, one count of being a felon in possession of 88 sets of ammunition, one count of possessing five illegal silencers, one count of operating an illegal gambling business, one count of conspiring to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of aiding and abetting in the commission of marriage fraud, one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud based on a scheme to defraud the City of North Little Rock, one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, one count of possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug transaction. The indictments also contain several forfeiture allegations.

"Not only do illegal gambling operations threaten legitimate business, they can also open the door to involvement in other crimes," remarked Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Browne. "The allegations of public corruption contained in this indictment are among the most serious, and fall within the FBI's number one criminal investigative priority." Duke echoed Browne’s sentiments and noted that, “ the investigation is on-going and further charges are anticipated in connection with the public corruption piece of the investigation.”

Thompson was apprehended in Bangkok, Thailand and made an initial appearance in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, November 6, 2009, where he was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending his return to the Eastern District of Arkansas.

The maximum statutory penalty for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition is not more than ten years imprisonment, not more than a $250,000 fine, or both and not more than three years of supervised release The maximum statutory penalty for possessing illegal silencers is not more than ten years imprisonment, not more than a $10,000 fine, or both and not more than three years of supervised release. The maximum statutory penalties for each offense of operating an illegal gambling business, conspiring to do the same, and aiding and abetting in the commission of marriage fraud are not more than five years imprisonment, not more than a $250,000 fine, or both and not more than three years of supervised release for each offense. The maximum statutory penalty for conspiring to commit wire fraud is not more than twenty years imprisonment, not more than a $250,000 fine, or both and not more than three years of supervised release. The maximum penalties for possessing with intent to deliver more than 500 grams of cocaine and conspiring to do the same is not less than five years and not more than 40 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $2 million, and not more than five years of supervised release for each offense. The maximum penalty for using a communication device in a drug crime is not more than four years, not more than a $250,000 fine, and not more than one year of supervised release.

This investigation was conducted by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura G. Hoey.

An indictment contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.