Samantha Lee Smith, Drug Conspiracy, Oklahoma 2016

Muskogee, OK - In a shocking turn of events, 21-year-old Samantha Lee Smith has pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges, which carry a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, also include a fine of up to $10,000,000.

According to the superseding indictment, Smith and others conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The investigation revealed that Smith was a methamphetamine distributor and a drug and money courier for the organization.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Tahlequah Police Department, the Muskogee Police Department, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the Eastern District of Oklahoma coordinated the investigation.

Smith's guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Smith will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing, which will be scheduled upon completion of a presentence report.

Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States in the case. The investigation revealed that Smith was communicating with co-conspirators via audio phone calls, text messages, and social media website Facebook while Cody McClendon, an Indian Brotherhood (IBH) gang member, was utilizing a contraband cellular phone to facilitate the sale and distribution of methamphetamine.

The charges against Smith are a serious blow to the methamphetamine trade in Oklahoma. The investigation and guilty plea demonstrate the dedication of law enforcement agencies to combating organized crime and protecting the citizens of Oklahoma.

Smith's case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of involvement in drug trafficking. The minimum sentence of 10 years and the maximum sentence of life imprisonment, along with the potential fine of up to $10,000,000, highlight the gravity of the charges.

At Grimy Times, we will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edok/pr/muskogee-woman-pleads-guilty-drug-conspiracy