Alicia Bucy, Peaches Herrick Sentenced in Meth Conspiracy

A 170-gram package of methamphetamine shipped from Texas and hidden in a washing machine has landed two women behind bars for more than a decade. Alicia Bucy, 60, of Hot Springs, and Peaches Marie Herrick, 40, of Kaufman, Texas, were each sentenced to federal prison today on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Bucy received 87 months, while Herrick was handed 97 months—both followed by three years of supervised release.

The case traces back to October 20, 2015, when the 18th Judicial East Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Bucy’s residence in Royal, Arkansas—a known hub for drug distribution. Inside the laundry room, officers discovered a U.S. Postal Express parcel stuffed in the washing machine. Field tests confirmed the package contained 170 grams of meth. The parcel had been sent from Nacogdoches, Texas, on October 15 and arrived the day before the raid.

Investigators quickly linked the package to Peaches Herrick, who lived in Nacogdoches at the time. Bucy waived her Miranda rights and admitted she’d been distributing meth in the Hot Springs area for years. She confessed to hiding the drug-laden parcel in the machine. A forensic review of her cell phone uncovered a damning text message sent to Herrick, discussing the shipment—evidence that sealed their fates.

Both women were indicted in December 2015. Herrick pleaded guilty in February 2016; Bucy followed in March 2016. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in U.S. District Court in Hot Springs, delivering a judgment that reflects the federal crackdown on cross-state drug operations.

“We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to keep drugs out of our communities,” said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans, whose jurisdiction covers Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. “Disrupting the flow of illegal drugs coming into our country continues to be one of our top priorities.”

The investigation was a joint effort by Homeland Security Investigations, the Hot Springs Police Department, and the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case. Court documents are available via the Public Access to Electronic Records system at www.pacer.gov.