EL DORADO, AR—Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jamie B. Martin, age 36, of Waldo, Arkansas, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine as part of “Operation Crystal Clear”, an investigation into large-scale drug trafficking of methamphetamine throughout Columbia County, Arkansas, and surrounding areas. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.

U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “With the sentence announced today, another drug trafficking organization has been successfully dismantled, and its leader brought to justice. The criminal activity involved in this case victimized the people of Waldo, Magnolia, and the surrounding area. Our office remains committed to vigilantly and aggressively prosecuting drug trafficking organizations across the Western District of Arkansas in order to eradicate the crime and violence they bring into our communities.”

“Martin earned this sentence,” stated Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Little Rock. “The FBI, FBI Task Force, and our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, the Magnolia Police Department, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force will continue to work to dismantle dangerous drug trafficking organizations in our communities.”

According to court records, beginning in 2011, agents with the FBI and FBI Task Force initiated an investigation, known as “Operation Crystal Clear”, into Jamie Martin and his drug trafficking organization. During the investigation, agents identified Martin as a source of supply in Columbia County, Arkansas. Pursuant to a court order, agents intercepted the wire and electronic communications of a cell phone used by Jamie Martin. Over the course of the court-ordered interception, investigators received numerous wire and electronic communications between Martin and his co-conspirators discussing the distribution of methamphetamine and collection of drug debts. In many of the communications, Martin and co-conspirators used coded language to disguise their drug trafficking activities. Through their investigation, agents learned that Martin was responsible for the distribution of ounce quantities of methamphetamine to various customers in the Western District of Arkansas. Additionally, during the course of the investigation, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Martin. During the course of those controlled buys, Martin sent various co-conspirators to deliver the methamphetamine on his behalf. As a result of this investigation, agents seized over three pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, and approximately $160,000 in cash. Martin and his co-conspirators were originally charged in a 15-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury which was filed on March 6, 2013. Martin pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 11, 2013. During sentencing, it was determined that Martin was an organizer or leader of a criminal activity that involved five or more participants and that Martin possessed a dangerous weapon during the commission of the offense.

Following are Martin’s co-conspirators who were charged in federal court and their sentences for their involvement in “Operation Crystal Clear”. Numerous other co-conspirators were charged in the state court system.

Claudie J. Miller, aka “June Bug”, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 140 months in prison.

Chevis D. Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine and Aiding and Abetting and was sentenced to 180 months in prison.

Courtney K. Loudermill pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 48 months in prison.

Curtis J. Cole, aka “Peetie”, pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of More than 50 grams of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 168 months in prison.

Ervin K. Moss, aka “Kelso”, pleaded guilty to one count of the Use of a Communication Facility in Furtherance of the Distribution of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

Monte V. Dismuke pleaded guilty to one count of Use of a Communication Facility in Furtherance of the Distribution of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 48 months in prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the FBI Task Force, the Magnolia Police Department, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.