Richard Calvin Artz, Aiding and Abetting Methamphetamine Trafficking, Arkansas 2019

A Fayetteville, Arkansas resident has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for his role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation. Richard Calvin Artz, 54, of Gravette, Arkansas, was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release for Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine.

According to court records, on December 17, 2018, an undercover police officer purchased 186.75 grams (approximately seven (7) ounces) of methamphetamine from Rebekah Wiser for $3,500. Present near the transaction was Richard Artz, who the investigation determined provided Rebekah Wiser with the methamphetamine to sell to the undercover police officer.

Artz and co-defendant Rebekah Ann Wiser, 36, of Rogers, Arkansas, were indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2019 and entered guilty pleas in September of 2019.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Rogers, Arkansas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.

The prosecution and investigation were part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, which was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.

The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation's illicit drug supply.

Richard Calvin Artz will serve 87 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release for his role in the methamphetamine trafficking operation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdar/pr/northwest-arkansas-man-and-woman-sentenced-over-18-years-combined-federal-prison-drug