In a significant victory for law enforcement, a drug trafficking organization operating in Northwest Arkansas has been sentenced to a total of more than 184 years in federal prison. The final member of the organization was recently sentenced for crimes related to the distribution of methamphetamine. The investigation into the organization was launched by the Drug Enforcement Administration in September of 2020, and it identified Steven Warner and Elmer Francis as leaders of the group. The sentencing hearings were presided over by Judge Timothy L. Brooks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This successful operation highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantling criminal organizations and ensuring that those responsible for drug trafficking face severe consequences.
Overview
In June 2023, 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. The investigation into this drug trafficking organization began in September 2020, when 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.
Background
The drug trafficking organization operating in Northwest Arkansas was responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine. Through their investigation, law enforcement agencies identified Steven Warner and Elmer Francis as the leaders of this local drug trafficking organization. Warner was further identified as a source of supply for methamphetamine. The investigation into this organization began in September 2020 and led to the arrest and indictment of multiple members.
Investigation
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated the investigation into the drug trafficking organization operating out of the Fayetteville Division. With the assistance of several federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the United States Marshals Service, ATF, FBI, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers Police Department, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, 4th 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, the DEA was able to gather evidence and build a case against the members of the organization.
Sentencing Hearings
The sentencing hearings for the members of the drug trafficking organization were presided over by the Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks in the United States District Court in Fayetteville. Each member of the organization was charged and sentenced for their involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine. The sentences ranged from 400 months imprisonment to 87 months imprisonment, depending on the individual’s level of involvement in the organization.
Members Sentenced
- Steven James Warner, also known as Misfit, was sentenced to 400 months imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Elmer Nathaniel Francis, also known as Nathan, was sentenced to 327 months imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Vincent James Burrough was sentenced to 270 months imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Charley Edward Rouell Jr. was sentenced to 250 months imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Danial Wayne Plack was sentenced to 188 months imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Michael Winberry was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment and a 4-year term of supervised release.
- Cassandra Claire Webb was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release.
- Eunice Felicitas Cisneros was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment and a 4-year term of supervised release.
- Landon Dale Thompson Jr. was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release.
- Christie Michelle Yandell Warner was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release.
- Paul Eugene Wisdom was sentenced to 140 months imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release.
Law Enforcement Agencies Involved
Several federal and local law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in the investigation and apprehension of the members of the drug trafficking organization. These agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration Fayetteville Resident Office, United States Marshals Service, ATF, FBI, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers Police Department, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, 4th 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. Their collaboration and coordinated efforts were instrumental in dismantling the drug trafficking organization.
Prosecutor and Announcement
The case against the drug trafficking organization was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement of the sentencing of the organization members. The efforts of the prosecution and law enforcement agencies involved demonstrate a commitment to ensuring justice and upholding the law in the Western District of Arkansas.
OCDETF Operation
The investigation and prosecution of the drug trafficking organization were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The OCDETF program aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. It employs a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. This operation is an example of the effectiveness of the OCDETF program in targeting and apprehending significant drug trafficking organizations.
Additional Information
This article was updated on June 2, 2023, to reflect the sentencing of the final member of the drug trafficking organization. For more information about the OCDETF program and its operations, visit the official website of the U.S. Department of Justice at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. For further inquiries or assistance, please contact the Western District of Arkansas U.S. Attorney’s Office using the contact information provided on their official website.