Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
Twenty-seven people have been sentenced in federal court for their involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking operation that was directed from inside Oklahoma prisons using contraband cell phones. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The investigation, which lasted two years and involved the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN), resulted in the seizure of about 90 kilograms of methamphetamine, 22 firearms, and nearly $350,000 in proceeds related to drug sales. Authorities arrested 27 individuals across Oklahoma. All pleaded guilty and received sentences totaling almost 235 years in federal prison, with one defendant receiving a life sentence.
“Inmates using contraband cell phones behind prison walls orchestrated an entire network to traffic deadly poison in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Dismantling this operation required a united front between federal and state agencies, committed to stop the flow of drugs and hold the traffickers accountable. I commend the diligent work of law enforcement and prosecutors to destroy this criminal network.”
“The arrest, conviction and sentencing of members of this organization and its leadership has undoubtedly made neighborhoods throughout Oklahoma a safer place for our children and families,” said Joseph B. Tucker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas. “The DEA will continue to work hand in hand with our state and local law enforcement partners to hold those distributing poison in our communities accountable for their actions.”
“The results from this investigation have no doubt saved lives. These individuals were responsible for orchestrating the distribution of large shipments of meth onto the streets of Oklahoma while behind bars,” said OBN Director Donnie Anderson. “As meth continues to be one of Oklahoma’s leading killers, my agency is committed to working with our state and federal partners to arrest and prosecute those who threaten the safety of our citizens.”
According to public records, Zachary Clark, Brandon Horne, and Johnny Ross were inmates at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections when they managed a drug trafficking organization linked to the Irish Mob Gang through contraband cell phones. They coordinated with people outside prison who helped distribute methamphetamine and collect proceeds from sales.
Ross was indicted by a federal Grand Jury on April 16, 2024, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine; Clark and Horne were indicted separately about a month later on similar charges.
Clark received a life sentence plus five years supervised release for drug conspiracy; Horne was sentenced to 360 months plus five years supervised release; Ross received 120 months plus five years supervised release for drug conspiracy.
Other defendants received sentences ranging from probation up to 200 months in prison on charges including possession or distribution of methamphetamine, firearm offenses, or both.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) effort aimed at disrupting major criminal organizations by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Anderson, Jason Harley, and David McCrary prosecuted these cases.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
