FOR RELEASE: May 21, 2008

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that MICHAEL FRY, age 30, of McAlester, Oklahoma, and JARED MACCHIRELLA, age 32, of Stuart, Oklahoma, were sentenced today.

“FRY pled guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to carry on unlawful activities, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 1956(h) and 1957(a), Title 18 U.S.C., Section 371 and Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1952(a)(3), on November 11, 2007,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.  “He was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment on Count One, 60 months imprisonment on Count Two, to run consecutively, 60 months supervised release on each count, to run concurrently, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $200.00.”

“MACCHIRELLA pled guilty to two counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1952(a)(3), on November 26, 2007.  He was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment on each of the two counts, to run consecutively, 36 months supervised release on each count, to run concurrently, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $200.00,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.

“The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the sentencings. Judge White ordered the defendants to remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal Service to begin serving their sentences.  Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the government at the sentencings.”

“Charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Administration, District Attorney Drug Task Forces 18 & 22, Hughes and Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Departments, McAlester Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma National Guard, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.”

“Special Agents of the DEA, Oklahoma City District and McAlester Resident Offices, assisted by various federal, state and local agencies successfully dismantled the Jared Macchirella and Brian Fry methamphetamine Drug Distributing Organization (DTO), based out of McAlester, Oklahoma.  This priority target organization distributed in excess of 20 pounds of methamphetamine per month in Eastern Oklahoma and Northern Texas since 2003.  Special Agents of the DEA led their team of law enforcement partners through the execution of a two-phased investigation consisting of the execution of eleven federal & state search warrants, undercover purchases of methamphetamine and psuedoephedrine,  the cultivation of over 30 confidential sources / cooperating defendants, wire intercepts, pen registers / toll analysis, investigative grand jury and electronic / aerial surveillance.  An extensive financial investigation was conducted, including document search warrants, cash flow analysis, ex-parte tax orders, analysis of cash trade assets, asset tracing and analysis of real property,”  U.S. Attorney Sperling continued.

“This investigation resulted in the arrests of 53 defendants, the seizure of over 115 firearms and the removal of approximately 7,000 rounds of ammunition.  In addition, the abstraction of psuedoephedrine and methamphetamine and the seizure of passenger vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and real estate ensued.  The federal prosecution started with thirteen defendants by the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Oklahoma, two of which were never arrested, and anticipated seizures of real property and assets, in excess of three million dollars, are expected,” added U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the DEA’s Dallas Field Division, firmly believes that these cooperative efforts send a powerful message to those trying to profit from illicit drug sales in Oklahoma. Today, we have come together with many of our law enforcement partners to achieve a common goal. The dismantling of this Mexican methamphetamine distribution network is a major success in its own right. The far bigger success however, is that we have sent a profound message to any and all remaining drug dealers; that the law enforcement partnerships are solid, strong, and willing to go the distance to make our communities safe for our citizens,” stated Terri K. Wyatt, Dallas Field Division, Drug Enforcement Administration.

“This is yet another domino to fall in such a significant drug enforcement case for the citizens of Eastern Oklahoma. These types of conspirators only mean pain and grief to our state while making enormous monetary profits. We need more than simply disrupting these home-grown terrorist but we must totally dismantle them to the core.  As a state, we must have great resolve when dealing with these groups and will fight for every town, every county in our state in our quest for a drug free Oklahoma,” added Director R. Darrell Weaver of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

“Two other defendants in this case were sentenced in May of this year before the Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee.  Those defendants have begun serving their sentences,” U.S. Attorney Sperling noted.

“On May 7, 2008, BRIAN FRY, age 25, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $100.00.  FRY pled guilty on October 30, 2007, to money laundering conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 1956(h) and 1956(a)(1)(B).”

“On May 7, 2008, SHANNON FRY, age 34, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release for Count One, and 60 months imprisonment and 36 months supervised release for Count Two, to run consecutively.  The defendant was also ordered to pay a Special Assessment Fee of $200.00. FRY pled guilty on November 19, 2007, to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to carry on unlawful activities, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 1956(h) and 1957(a), Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371 and Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1952(a)(3).”

“Three other defendants in this case were sentenced by the Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, in March of this year.  Those defendants have begun serving their sentences,” U.S. Attorney Sperling reported.

“On March 25, 2008, JENNIFER MARTIN, age 32, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, 12 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $100.00.  MARTIN pled guilty on August 27, 2007, to use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C., Section 843(b).”

“On March 25, 2008, HEATHER MCGEE, age 30, of Hanna, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment, 12 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $100.00.  MCGEE pled guilty on September 21, 2007, to use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C., Section 843(b).”

“On March 26, 2008, JAMES SHELTON, age 45, of Owasso, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, 24 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $100.00.  SHELTON pled guilty on October 25, 2007, to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, in excess of 500 grams, with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C., Section 371 and Title 21 U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1).”

“Previously sentenced on January 31, 2008, is JOEL SENNETT, age 29, of McAlester, Oklahoma.  SENNETT was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment of $100.00, for interstate travel in aid of racketeering, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Sections 1952(a)(3).”

“Awaiting sentencing at this time is JACK RICE, age 62, of Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.  RICE pled guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to carry on unlawful activities, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371 and Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1952(a)(3).  RICE faces up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines.”