Fifteen get prison time in meth arrests
By From staff reports
Published in News on March 18, 2014 1:46 PM
RALEIGH -- U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced the recent sentencing of a group of defendants in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force prosecution focusing on methamphetamine production in Johnston, Sampson and Wayne counties.
Four of the 15 people convicted and sentenced were from Wayne County.
They included Teresa Darden, 240 months; Keith Britt, 87 months; Christina Britt, 81 months; and Ryan Meyers, 300 months.
The investigation, code named "Speed Bump," revealed a manufacturing and distribution system that has operated in the region since at least 2008 and was responsible for manufacturing large amounts of methamphetamine.
"These defendants created havoc on the law-abiding residents in the area by their distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine. My office stands ready to prosecute organizations like this to the full extent of the law," Walker said.
Six of the individuals were from Johnston County and the rest were from Sampson County.
According to testimony, they traveled throughout the area to buy pseudoephedrine, steal anhydrous ammonia and cook methamphetamine. This group was responsible for purchasing more than five kilograms of pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine and the ultimate production of almost five kilos of methamphetamine.
The group also possessed multiple firearms.
Other agencies involved in this portion of the investigation included the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, the Sampson County Sheriff's Office and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
The other sentences handed down were John Savage, 300 months; Candy Medlin, 240 months; Larry Medlin, 90 months; Allen Bass, 113 months; Larry Barefoot, 121 months; J.R. Thornton, 144 months; Jamie Hunt, 110 months; George Myron Adams, 188 months; Steven McCall, 191 months; Jackie Joyner, 113 months; and Shannon Kidwell, 126 months.