A devastating blow to the methamphetamine trade in Oklahoma, Andrew Frank Lerblance, a/k/a Andrew Frank Lerblance Jr., age 66, of Checotah, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to distributing the highly addictive substance.
The guilty plea, announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, comes with severe consequences. The charge of Distribution of Methamphetamine carries a term of 5 to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000.00 fine.
According to the Information, on October 3, 2023, Lerblance knowingly and intentionally distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. This egregious act was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Lerblance will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz, who represented the United States in this case.
The guilty plea is a significant step towards justice for the community affected by Lerblance’s actions. The distribution of methamphetamine has ravaging effects on individuals and communities, and it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable. As the case moves forward, the people of Oklahoma can be assured that the justice system is working tirelessly to combat the scourge of methamphetamine distribution.
In the coming weeks, a sentencing hearing will be scheduled, where the full extent of Lerblance’s punishment will be determined. The people of Checotah and surrounding areas can take comfort in knowing that law enforcement agencies and the United States Attorney’s Office are dedicated to keeping their communities safe from the dangers of methamphetamine distribution.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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