Published: September 05, 2008 09:32 am      

Inmate pleads in federal drug case

Federal prosecutors considered it an elaborate drug operation based out of the Eufaula area, with conspirators kept in line by threats of violence and rewarded with trips to resorts.

Now, with 14 people indicted and a trial date looming, guilty pleas are starting to roll into federal court.

An Oklahoma Department of Corrections inmate is now facing a federal prison term after pleading guilty to a drug charge in connection with the conspiracy.

Julian Darnell Woodard, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances, filed as a single count.

Woodard had been accused of committing the offenses in the Eufaula area, according to federal prosecutors.

He entered the plea at the Eastern District of Oklahoma U.S. Courthouse in Muskogee.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Wallace said Woodard had been in prison at Oklahoma State Penitentiary on state drug convictions at one point, but he’s been in a federal holding facility at the Muskogee City-County Jail for some time now.

“He was in prison on convictions of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled susbtance,” Wallace said. Woodard had been serving four years on the McIntosh County convictions, he said.

Federal sentencing guidelines project that Woodard now faces from 121 to 151 months in prison and up to a $400,000 fine.

He pleaded guilty to the federal charge before U.S. District Judge Frank Seay and is to be sentenced following completion of a presentence report. Woodard is to remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service until he is sentenced.

“Woodard is a co-defendant in the March 12 federal grand jury indictment of 14 defendants,” said Eastern District of Oklahoma U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling.

He participated in the distribution of methamphetamine and other controlled and substances out of the Eufaula area, Sperling said,

“Ten men and four women were charged in the Eufaula-area drug conspiracy which extended over the past five years,” Sperling said.

“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,” he said.

“The conspirators used violence and threats to collect drug proceeds, prevent theft of drugs and money, maintain secrecy and promote discipline,” Sperling said.

He said the conspiratorial activity included traveling to casinos to convert illegal drug proceeds into cash, and traveling to resorts to reward and promote loyalty among the co-conspirators.

Wallace, who is the former District 16 district attorney for LeFlore and Latimer counties, served as a prosecutor in the case and represented the U.S. during the plea hearing this week.

Sperling said the indictments followed a probe conducted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Eufaula Police Dept., the Checotah Police Dept. and the Muskogee Police Dept.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.