Amarillo Resident Sentenced in Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

AMARILLO, TX—Juan Eli Svenningsen, 38, of Amarillo, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to 188 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in July 2012 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

Two other Amarillo men charged in the case have each pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute heroin,and have been sentenced. Charlie Sutton Webb, 33, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, and John Scott Crabb, 31, was sentenced to 11 months in federal prison.

Another defendant in the case, Phillip Wade Schindler, 39, also of Amarillo, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a drug offense and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin. A trial date has not yet been set for Schindler.

According to plea papers filed in the case, Schindler, Webb, Svenningsen, and Crabb conspired together to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute approximately 15 grams of heroin. The investigation involved several undercover purchases of heroin.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Amarillo Police Department, and the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vicki Lamberson was in charge of the prosecution.