United States Attorneys Office

Eastern District of Oklahoma

FOR RELEASE:   September 03, 2008
SUBJECT:           WOODARD, Julian Darnell

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that JULIAN DARNELL WOODARD, age 32, of DOC, OSP, McAlester, 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.

“WOODARD is a co-defendant in the March 12, 2008, federal grand jury indictment of 14 defendants,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.  “WOODARD participated in the distribution of methamphetamine and other controlled substances out of the Eufaula, Oklahoma area.”

“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 into cash and travel to resort locations to reward and promote co-conspirator loyalty,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“Johnny Edward Smith, the leader of the organization, as well as, Vance Eugene Winslow, III, Phillip Jerome Warrior, Nathan Simmons, Clarence Pierce, III, Teresa Martin, Una Smith, Olympia Caldwell and Danuel Dyer, co-defendants in this case, have entered pleas of guilty and are awaiting sentencing.”

“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.  “Dedicated investigators joined state, local and federal hands in this remarkable collective effort.”

“The Honorable Frank H. Seay, United States District Court Judge, 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.  WOODARD will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal, pending sentencing.”

“The statutory range of punishment for WOODARD is a term of not less than 10 years and no more than life imprisonment and/or a $4,000,000.00 fine.”

“A preliminary guidelines review projects that WOODARD could face 121-151 months imprisonment.”

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