Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and William J. Bryant, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the arrests today of eight individuals on a federal indictment charging with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute unregulated prescription pills and controlled substances.
The Indictment alleges that seven individuals, Brian Fletcher, age 28; Jeremy Burton, age 28; Heather Gooden Story, age 27; Stephanie Hagie, age 28; Michael Young, age 27; all of Conway; Jason Hobby, age 31 of North Little Rock; and Frankie Drennan, age 49, of Little Rock conspired to distribute prescription narcotics and each, on various dates, possessed with the intent to distribute varying quantities of different prescription narcotics. Also arrested today on a federal Complaint was Burnett Smith, age 45, of Conway, Arkansas.
The arrests are the result of an investigation that began in 2011 with the DEA, in cooperation with Conway Police Department Narcotics unit, identifying Jeremy Burton and other co-conspirators involved in unregulated prescription pill and controlled substances distribution in Faulkner, Pulaski, White, and Van Buren Counties in Central Arkansas. During the investigation, members of the conspiracy engaged in the unauthorized distribution of Schedule II narcotics including, Oxycodone (Roxycodone), Oxymorphone (Opana) and Hydromorphone (Dilauded). The arrests today were coordinated by agents of DEA with the Conway Police Department, Faulkner County Sheriff's Office, United States Marshal Service, 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney's Office, University of Central Arkansas Police Department, and the Arkansas National Guard Counter Drug Unit.
Numerous search and seizure warrants were executed in conjunction with the arrests. The investigation has thus far resulted in the seizure of four firearms of varying calibers, assorted ammunition, undetermined amount of money, a variety of pharmaceutical narcotics, paraphernalia associated with distribution such as scales, packaging, pill cutters, and syringes.
The case was investigated by special agents from the DEA, as well as officers and personnel from the following agencies: Conway Police Department, Faulkner County Sheriff's Office, United States Marshal Service, 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney's Office, University of Central Arkansas Police Department, and the Arkansas National Guard Counter Drug Unit. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anne Gardner.
An indictment contains only allegations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges set forth in a Complaint are merely allegations. A federal Grand Jury will decide whether to indict on these charges. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
