Kendall J. Dykes, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Arkansas 2023

Two members of a notorious El Dorado drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the distribution of methamphetamine in South Arkansas.

Kendall J. Dykes, 43, of El Dorado, Arkansas, and Jewel E. Easter, 34, of Little Rock, Arkansas, were sentenced to a combined total of over 14 years in federal prison for their involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy in the Western District of Arkansas.

Eldridge, Conner, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Dykes was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, while Easter received a sentence of 92 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for the same charge.

The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in El Dorado. U.S. Attorney Eldridge stated that the success of this operation is critical to the growth and prosperity of El Dorado and other communities affected by drug trafficking.

David T. Resch, Special Agent In Charge of the Little Rock FBI, commented that the sentencings were a result of the concentrated efforts by the United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the FBI Task Force, and the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, who partner together to disrupt and dismantle drug networks that threaten neighborhoods.

According to court records, agents with the FBI and FBI Task Force initiated an investigation targeting gang members involved in the trafficking of narcotics and firearms in El Dorado, Arkansas, and surrounding areas, in January 2013. During the investigation, agents identified Antoine Cook and his drug trafficking organization as a major distributor of methamphetamine in and around Union County, Arkansas.

Jewel Easter was identified as one of Cook’s sources of supply for methamphetamine, while Kendall Dykes was identified as a distributor of the methamphetamine for the organization. During the investigation, agents intercepted numerous wire and electronic communications of a cell phone used by Antoine Cook, which revealed coded language used in an attempt to disguise their drug trafficking activities.

The investigation revealed that Dykes obtained methamphetamine directly from Cook for distribution, while Easter was responsible for the distribution of multiple pound quantities of methamphetamine to Cook in the Western District of Arkansas. Dykes was arrested on October 10, 2013, and pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on August 27, 2014. Easter was arrested on October 3, 2013, and pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 9, 2014.

Dykes was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, while Easter received a sentence of 92 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for the same charge.

Defendant Information: Kendall J. Dykes, alias ‘KD’, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Jewel E. Easter was sentenced to 92 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Eldridge, Conner, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, stated that the success of this operation is critical to the growth and prosperity of El Dorado and other communities affected by drug trafficking. Agents worked tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle drug networks that threaten neighborhoods.

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