FOR RELEASE:   August 19, 2008
SUBJECT:           WARRIOR, Phillip Jerome; a/k/a WARRIOR, P.J.; and PIERCE, Clarence Lee, III; a/k/a "THREE"

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today PHILLIP JEROME WARRIOR, a/k/a P.J. Warrior, age 31, of Eufaula, 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.

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

“Also pleading guilty today was CLARENCE LEE PIERCE, III, a/k/a Three, age 32, of Muskogee.  PIERCE pled to the same Conspiracy charge as WARRIOR.  Both co-defendants were set for jury trial on September 8, 2008.”

“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.

“Co-defendant Vance Eugene Winslow, III, of Checotah, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Conspiracy on August 1, 2008.”

“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 defendants’ guilty pleas.   The Court ordered the completion of  presentence reports.  Sentencing will be scheduled upon their completion.  WARRIOR and PIERCE remain in the custody of the United States Marshal, pending sentencing.”

“Preliminary sentencing guidelines, given known sentencing factors, and these defendants’ lack of criminal history, project the defendants could be sentenced to 37 – 46 months imprisonment.”

“Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States.”