MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Erickson Clay Ward, age 57, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(B), punishable by not less than 5 nor more than 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000.00 fine, or both; and to Possession Of Firearm In Furtherance Of Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), punishable by not less than 5 years to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about May 3, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The Indictment further alleged that on or about May 3, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess a firearm, to-wit: Cobra Enterprises, Inc. / Kodiak Ind., Model FS380, 380 caliber pistol, serial number FS049344, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Wilson represented the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
