Oklahoma Residents Convicted on Drug, Witness Tampering Charges

MUSKOGEE, OK—Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that RONALD KEITH IRVING, age 36, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was convicted by a federal jury of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, also known as Crack Cocaine, and RONALD KEITH IRVING and DEANDRE WASHINGTON, age 23, of Tulsa, Oklahoma were both convicted by a federal jury for Tampering With a Witness.

“The evidence at trial was chilling,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling. “Irving had been charged in state court with a crack cocaine distribution felony. The transaction which occurred on August 25, 2008, and involved over 10 grams of cocaine base. He sought the cold-blooded murder of one of Muskogee’s finest.”

“Irving had twice previously been convicted of felony drug crimes. While in jail he communicated his intent in killing a Muskogee Police Officer, who had previously served as a witness in a state proceeding in which Irving was convicted. The Muskogee Police Officer also was an affiant on a federal drug felony complaint against Irving, and testified both at Irving’s detention hearing and at this federal trial,” continued Sperling. “An intermediary relayed information between defendant Irving and defendant Washington. Washington was contracted to kill the Muskogee Police Officer in February, 2009.”

“This matter was brought to the attention of Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore, Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson, and two Muskogee District Court Judges,” U.S. Attorney Sperling said. “The Offices of the United States Attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were promptly notified of the intended plot and took immediate investigative and prosecutive action. Irving was charged by federal complaint with Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine.”

“A week later Irving participated in a number of phone calls to engage Washington to murder the Muskogee Police Officer. The FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers surveilled and followed Washington and a cooperator,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The evidence established Washington explicitly intended to kill the victim officer. On March 9th, Washington said, “Can we do it before Thursday? Do you know how to find him? I won't wound him—I will shoot him in the face. He’s a police officer...I'm ready cuz. I will give you (CI) 5,000. I will bust him. I will kill him (Irving) if I don't get the money. It will be splat - splat!  We'll ride down there (Muskogee) and boom - boom. We will hit him at his house.”

“Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Muskogee Police Department, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Tulsa Police Department, the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Muskogee County District Attorney’s Office.”

“The statutory range of punishment is five-40 years’ imprisonment, and up to $2,000,000.00 in fines, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, and not more than 30 years' imprisonment for Tampering with a Witness,” noted U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over this trial. The Court ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. Both defendants remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.”

“Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Roberts and First Assistant United States Attorney Doug Horn represented the United States at trial.”