Tulsa World: Six plead guilty to drug charges

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Six plead guilty to drug charges

By SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Published: 8/26/2009 10:55 AM
Last Modified: 8/26/2009 6:55 PM

MUSKOGEE — A five-year investigation of an extensive Idabel-based drug network concluded recently with the guilty pleas of six defendants, one of them a pharmacist.

Prosecutors said the men were indicted by a federal grand jury in February in connection with one of the largest illicit prescription and controlled drug operations in southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas.

The drugs included pain killers, downers, muscle relaxers, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Six were found guilty of drug distribution:

Jeffrey Lyn Pierce, 60, of Hugo. Prosecutors say Pierce distributed illegal prescription drugs and methamphetamine in the Hugo area. He also pleaded guilty to money laundering. Estimated prison time: seven to nine years.

Jack Henderson, 64, of Elgin, Texas. Henderson was a pharmacist in Austin and the main supplier of prescription drugs. Prosecutors say Henderson may be eligible for a one-year or lesser sentence since he is a first-time offender.

Billy Joe Green, also known as “Bill Bill,” 34, of Idabel. Green was the meth and cocaine source for drug distributors in McCurtain and Choctaw counties. Estimated prison time: 21 to 27 years.

Martin Wayne Young, also known as “Marty,” 39, of Wright City. Young was a large-scale distributor to McCurtain and Choctaw counties. Estimated prison time: eight to 10 years.

Charles Andrew Todd, also known as “Pepe,” 35, of Millerton. Todd was a large-scale distributor to McCurtain and Choctaw counties. Estimated prison time: 10 to 13 years.

Charles Edward King, also known as “Cadillac,” 32, of Idabel. Estimated prison time: nine to 11 years.

U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said that Pierce has a prior drug offense from the 1990s when he operated an adult night club in Hugo.

“He did some time and (was) back out as part of a one-stop drug store for street drugs and pharmaceuticals that slung some 33 pounds of meth over a period of a year and a half,” Sperling said.

All but Henderson, the pharmacist, remain in federal custody pending sentencing. Henderson was released on bond pending sentencing.

The pleas came just before an Aug. 31 trial was scheduled in U.S. District Court in Muskogee.

The investigation involved numerous federal, county and military agencies in Oklahoma and Texas and was coordinated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force of the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

By SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "6 men plead guilty in drug probe," which was published on 8/27/2009. So far, 26 comments have been made.