U.S. Department of Justice

Sheldon J. (Shelly) Sperling

Sheldon.Sperling@usdoj.gov

United States Attorney

Eastern District of Oklahoma

(918)684-5100

NEWS RELEASE

For Release: August 1, 2008
For Further Information Contact: Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney or
Chris Wilson, Assistant United States Attorney

MUSKOGEE , OKLAHOMA – United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today VANCE EUGENE WINSLOW, III, age 34, of Checotah, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Section 846.

“WINSLOW is a co-defendant in the March 12, 2008 federal grand jury indictment of 14 defendants,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “WINSLOW participated in the distribution of narcotics with other co-conspirators.”

“Ten men and four women were charged in a Eufaula-area drug conspiracy which extended over the past five years. The charged conspiracy involves methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack. Intermediate drug sources were located in Ft. Smith and Oklahoma City. ‘Mules’ were engaged to transport the drugs.”

“The conspirators used violence and threats to collect drug proceeds, prevent theft of drugs and money, maintain secrecy and promote discipline. Conspiratorial activity also is asserted to include traveling to various casinos to convert illegal drug proceeds to cash and travel to resort locations to reward and promote co-conspirator loyalty,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“Charges arose from an investigation conducted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Eufaula Police Department, the Checotah Police Department, and the Muskogee Police Department,” stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant’s guilty plea. The Court ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled upon its completion. WINSLOW remains in the custody of the United States Marshal, pending sentencing.”

“The statutory range of punishment for Conspiracy is not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment and/or up to a $4,000,000.00 fine, and not less than 5 years supervised release. Preliminary sentencing guidelines, given known sentencing factors, project the defendant could be sentenced to 63 – 78 months imprisonment.”

“Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States.”