Feds charge 9 in meth ring in Franklin Co., Henry Co., Patrick Co.

1:43 p.m.

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - Nine people face federal charges related to a drug ring that authorities say distributed more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine in western Virginia.
    U.S. Attorney Julia Dudley said Friday that all but two of those indicted by a U.S. District Court grand jury have been arrested.
    They all face a maximum penalty of life in prison on charges that include conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Maximum fines range up to $6.25 million.
    Several defendants face gun charges and additional drug counts. Investigators say more than 50 firearms were recovered.
    The investigation involved state and federal investigators as well as sheriff’s officers in Patrick, Henry and Franklin counties.

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12:17 p.m.

United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that nine members of a methamphetamine distribution organization have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke on charges related to conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.

The indictment, which was returned underseal on December 4, 2008, was unsealed earlier this week following the arrest of several of the defendants. Two defendants remain at large.

Charged in the indictment are:

• Jerry Wayne McNeill, age 45
• Roy Elton Evans, age 45
• Candace Lane Tew, age 35
• Todd Mason Clark, age 23
• Elmer Otto Williams Jr., age 44
• Samuel L. Mason, age 49
• Ronnie Lee Lusk, age 26
• Lloyd Stacy Adams, age 42
• Howard Wayne Clark, age 45

According to investigators, during a variety of search warrants served on multiple locations, over 50 firearms were recovered. Law enforcement officials were also able to determine that members of the conspiracy were responsible for the distribution of over 100 pounds of methamphetamine during the life of the conspiracy.

Each defendant was charged with one count of conspiring to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. In addition to the conspiracy charge, some of the defendants face additional drug and gun charges related to their drug distribution activities.

was charged with two counts of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of being an admitted user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. At sentencing the maximum penalty faced by the defendant is life in prison and/or a fine of up to $6,250,000.

is charged with four counts of distributing a substance containing a measurable about of methamphetamine. The defendant faces a maximum penalty of lifetime imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000,000.

is charged with two counts of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. At sentencing, Tew faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $8,000,000.

is charged with one count of distributing a substance containing a measurable quantity of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty faced by the defendant is a mandatory life sentenced and/or a fine of up to $5,000,000.

is charged with one count of distributing a substance containing a measurable quantity of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the maximum penalty faced by the defendant is life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000,000.

is charged with one count of distributing a substance containing a measurable quantity of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty faces by the defendant at sentencing is life in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000,000.

is charged with one count of being a convicted felon illegally in possession of a weapon. At sentencing, Evans faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $4,250,000.

is charged with one count of distributing a measurable quantity of methamphetamine. Clark faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000,000.

is charged with one count of distributing a measurable quantity of methamphetamine. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a fine of $5,000,000.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Bassford is prosecuting the case for the United States.

“Our job as a law enforcement community is to use every resource available to take these dangerous and illegal drugs and the individuals who deal them, off our streets,” United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “I am grateful to all the members of the Patrick, Henry and Franklin County Sheriffs’ Offices, the Virginia State Police, the DEA and the ATF for all their assistance on this case. We could not have brought these charges without their work.”

A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.