Checotah Resident Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 17, 2009 |
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA—United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today VANCE EUGENE WINSLOW, III, age 34, of Checotah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment and 5 years supervised release for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Section 846.
“Also in court today was UNA NISHETTA SMITH, age 63, of Eufaula, Oklahoma. She was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for Maintaining Drug Involved Premises, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Section 856(a)(2) and Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2.
“WINSLOW and SMITH are co-defendants in the March 12, 2008, federal grand jury indictment of 14 defendants,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling. “WINSLOW participated in the distribution of narcotics with other co-conspirators while SMITH maintained a house, known to be the “stash” house where a large amount of drugs were seized during a search warrant.”
“Ten men and four women were charged in a Eufaula-area drug conspiracy which extended over the past five years. The charged conspiracy involves 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 is asserted to include 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 (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Eufaula Police Department, the Checotah Police Department, and the Muskogee Police Department,” stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.
“The Honorable Frank H. Seay, Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. Both defendants remain in the custody of the United States Marshal.”
“First Assistant United States Attorney Doug Horn represented the United States.”