Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Drug Trafficking

MUSKOGEE, OK—Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that OLYMPIA DENISE CALDWELL, age 28, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment, followed by 36 months of supervised release for Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957 and 2.

“CALDWELL is a co-defendant in the March 12, 2008, federal grand jury indictment of 14 defendants,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “CALDWELL was the primary handler of the money and travel arrangements for this drug trafficking organization.”

“Ten men and four women were charged in this Eufaula-area drug conspiracy. The charged criminality extended over the past five years. The charged conspiracy involved methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack. Intermediate drug sources were located in Ft. Smith and Oklahoma City. ‘Mules’ were engaged to transport the drugs.”

“The conspirators used violence and threats to collect drug proceeds, prevent theft of drugs and money, maintain secrecy and promote discipline. Conspiratorial activity also included, traveling to various casinos to convert illegal drug proceeds to cash and travel to resort locations to reward and promote co-conspirator loyalty,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“Charges arose from an investigation conducted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Eufaula Police Department, the Checotah Police Department, and the Muskogee Police Department,” stated U.S. Attorney Sperling. “Dedicated investigators joined state, local and federal hands in this remarkable collective effort on behalf of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).”

“The Honorable Frank H. Seay, Senior District Court Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. CALDWELL remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.”

“Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.”