Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More Than 184 Years Combined in Federal Prison

FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings for the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court documents, beginning in approximately September of 2020, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating out of the Fayetteville Division responsible for distributing methamphetamine. During the course of their investigation, investigators identified both Steven Warner and Elmer Francis as leaders of this local group.  Warner was further identified as a methamphetamine source of supply for the local group.

Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:

Steven James Warner aka Misfit:  age 46, McAlester, Oklahoma – Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 400 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.

Elmer Nathaniel Francis aka Nathan:  age 65, Cave Springs, Arkansas - Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 327 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.

Vincent James Burrough: age 58, Spiro, Oklahoma - Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 270 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.

Charley Edward Rouell Jr.: age 52, Stigler, Oklahoma – Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 250 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.

Danial Wayne Plack: age 42, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Distribution of more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 188 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.

Michael Winberry: age 52, Cave Springs, Arkansas – Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 180 months imprisonment and 4-year term of supervised release.

Cassandra Claire Webb: age 34, Fort Smith, Arkansas – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine – 60 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

Eunice Felicitas Cisneros: age 44, Moreno Valley, California – Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 135 months imprisonment and 4-year term of supervised release.

Landon Dale Thompson Jr.: age 42, Van Buren, Arkansas – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine – 87 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

Christie Michelle Yandell Warner: age 49, Yukon, Oklahoma – Aiding and abetting in the distribution of more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine – 180 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release.

Paul Eugene Wisdom: age 34, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 140 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Fayetteville Resident Office investigated the case, and were assisted by the following federal and local agencies: United States Marshals Service, ATF, FBI, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers Police Department, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, 4^th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections – Probation and Parole, Arkansas Counter Drug Unit, and the Arkansas State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.