A Mayes County couple, Gary Scott Moreland, 54, and Rebecca Jane Nichols, 40, were arrested in a joint law enforcement operation for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The two were taken into custody at their residence in Chouteau.
Arrest warrants had been issued for Moreland and Nichols after a grand jury indicted the two for drug conspiracy this month. Also named in the indictment were Wesley Joseph Griffin, 39, of Pryor, and Aaron John Culkins, 42, of Tulsa.
The indictment alleged that the co-conspirators possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in the Northern District of Oklahoma from August 2017 to April 2019. This large-scale operation has been a significant concern for law enforcement, as methamphetamine overdoses are one of the leading causes of drug-related deaths in Oklahoma.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced the arrests, stating, “Our partnerships extend to all areas of northeastern Oklahoma. I’m proud to work with Mayes County officials to bust this alleged methamphetamine distribution operation.” Shores emphasized that law enforcement is committed to dismantling these operations and holding those responsible accountable.
The investigation and arrests were conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, and Pryor Police Department. Additional assistance was provided by the Broken Arrow Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Oklahoma National Guard Counter Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal statement of charges or alleged violations of law, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The community can expect a thorough investigation and prosecution of this case, as law enforcement works to combat the methamphetamine epidemic in Oklahoma.
The arrests of Moreland, Nichols, Griffin, and Culkins mark a significant step in the fight against methamphetamine distribution in the region. As the investigation continues, law enforcement remains committed to identifying and dismantling these operations, bringing those responsible to justice and making Oklahoma communities safer.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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