FORT SMITH -- Nine people have been sentenced in federal court on conspiracy charges as part of a multicounty methamphetamine distribution ring, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
A 10th person, Corky Ray Anglin of Twin Fork Drive in Boone County, pleaded guilty in December to one count of distribution of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 19 in federal court in Fort Smith. He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and fined up to $1 million.
All 10 were arrested in August after an investigation involving federal, state, county and city law enforcement agencies, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Duane "Dak" Kees. The ring operated in Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Searcy and Washington counties, the release said.
Each of the nine people sentenced pleaded guilty in October to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The nine sentenced by Western Arkansas Chief U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III were:
• Ricky Dwayne Moles, 57, of Harrison, sentenced to 70 months in prison;
• Vance Lynn Parnin Jr., 49, of Berryville, to 78 months;
• Eric Lynn Friend, 40, of Harrison, to 70 months;
• Ricky William Akins, 60, of Lead Hill, to 37 months;
• Brittnee Nicole Perkins, 27, of Harrison, to 46 months;
• Julia Nicole Holley, 32, of Little Rock, to 18 months;
• Amy Leann Friend-Hagler, 37, of Greenbrier, to three years supervised release and a $5,000 fine;
• Bobby Gene Ellis Jr., 44, of Harrison, to 70 months;
• Melissa Haley Childs, 31, of Harrison, to 40 months.
State Desk on 03/09/2018