Poteau defendants named in drug indictment

MUSKOGEE – On Nov. 13, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Oklahoma returned an indictment charging 13 individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, announced Christopher J. Wilson, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The Indictment alleges that beginning in or about August 2022 and continuing until on or about the date of the indictment, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendants willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States, namely the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

Each of the following defendants stands indicted for Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A):

• HEATH LLOYD TAYLOR, age 44, of McAlester;
• AARON GUY KEY, age 46, of McAlester;
• MALLORY NICOLE LAIRD, age 36, of Poteau;
• CODY WADE REECE, age 33, of Poteau;
• TERRI ANGELA STROUD, age 52, of Spiro;
• KANDI ANNE HANKINS, age 42, of Poteau;
• TRAVIS AUSTIN POWERS, age 37, of Starr, South Carolina;
• HEATHER LEIGH BROWN, age 32, of McAlester;
• TRACIE ANN SELLS, age 54, of Sallisaw;
• JEREMY PAUL NEWMAN, age 46, of Poteau;
• STEPHEN DUANE EMBREY, age 64, of Poteau;
• WHITNEY GRANITE-JEFFREY, age 33, of Spiro; and
• RANDI SHAWN GANN, age 33, of Poteau.

If convicted on the drug conspiracy charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison. 

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