SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – A 63-month prison sentence was handed down to John Rice, 57, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy in New York.
Rice, a key player in the conspiracy, supplied over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun to Cortland, New York-based drug dealer Kyle Leeper. The methamphetamine conspiracy involved members in Indiana, Cortland, and Los Angeles, California, and resulted in the murder of a California man during a drug deal in 2019.
Rice was also ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release following the completion of his federal prison sentence. His federal sentence is consecutive to an Indiana State prison sentence he is serving for unrelated drug charges.
The methamphetamine conspiracy case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Montgomery County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Montgomery County (Indiana) District Attorney’s Office, and other Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Clymer, Richard Southwick, and Thomas Sutcliffe prosecuted the case, which resulted in the conviction of John Rice and the sentencing of Kyle Leeper to 40 years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy.
Rice’s conviction and sentencing are a significant blow to the methamphetamine trafficking ring, which operated across multiple states and resulted in the loss of life.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Defendant/Respondent: John Rice
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
City and State: Syracuse, New York
Exact Date: [No exact date mentioned in the source]
Sentence: 63 months in federal prison, consecutive to an Indiana State prison sentence
Dollar Amounts: None
Related Federal Cases
- Ernest Shaw, Sr., Cocaine Conspiracy, New York 2007 · Indiana
- Jose Pimentel, Methamphetamine Conspiracy & Murder, New York 2023 · New York
- Grenada Man Rodney de Roche Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Conspiracy · California
- Dion Underwood Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin, Albany NY, 2021 · Indiana
- John Cruz Accused of Counterfeit Xanax Sales, St. Louis MO, 2024 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking