Full Notification

John R. Parker

United States Attorney

Northern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Fourteen Indicted in Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

FORT WORTH, Texas — Thirteen individuals, most from the Wichita Falls, Texas, area, charged in a federal indictment with offenses stemming from their respective roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, remain in federal custody after making their initial appearances in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, and pleading not guilty to the charges.  One defendant charged in the indictment remains in state custody.  A trial date of April 11, 2016, has been set.  The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

The indictment alleges the conspiracy began before mid-2011 and continued to the date of the indictment, February 10, 2016.  Count One of the indictment charges the following six defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine:

Cleto Tarin, 52

Miguel Antonio Martinez, 31

Marcus Caldwell, 32

Hector Salvidar, 33

Bobby Frie, Jr., 30

Ramondo Acuna, 31

If convicted on this count, the statutory penalty is not less than five years or more than 40 years in federal prison and a $5 million fine.

Count Two of the indictment charges the following eight defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine:

David Sheppard, 39

Kendra Ward, 27

Susan Williams, 28

Eric Overstreet, 27

Robert Baggott, 45

Cecil Hindman, 51

Oscar Melanson, 31

Jonathan Morris, 31

Defendant Hindman has not yet made his initial appearance in federal court; a writ has been issued to transfer him from state custody to federal custody.  If convicted on this count, the statutory penalty is a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.  

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury.  A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wichita Falls Police Department are conducting the investigation.