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Additional Defendant Sentenced On Federal Meth Related Charges

Another defendant arrested back in April on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related conspiracy charges has been sentenced in federal court, while four additional defendants have had their sentencings delayed until November. All either previously pleaded guilty or were convicted.

A federal judge convicted 29-year old Jared L. Hester on charges involving a conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine, knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.  Prosecutors said Hester was involved in the conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until his arrest in April 2013.

The jury heard from other members of the conspiracy and was shown pharmacy records displaying dozens of pseudoephedrine purchases by Hester during the conspiracy. Many of these purchases overlapped with his co-defendants’ purchases. In all, the conspirators purchased between 350 and 400 boxes of pseudoephedrine, so that it could be manufactured into methamphetamine. All of Hester’s seven co-defendants pled guilty to the charges.

Hester was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. He has already appealed his sentence.

Four more defendants are now scheduled to be sentenced in November:  Gregory A. Militello, Kirby Brian Smith, Joshua Paul Militello and Nicole Danielle Jones.

Seven defendants were sentenced earlier this summer:

• Stephanie Ann Gunderson, 26, Cantonment — Four months in federal prison, home detention for  24 months, supervised release for three years. She will be allowed  to remain free until she surrenders on or before August 12.
• Shawn Michael King, 34, Cantonment –  Federal prison for 51 months, three years supervised released.
• Joseph David Peterson, 33, Cantonment –  Federal prison for 168 months, three years supervised released.
• Hunter Grant Myrick, 23, Cantonment  –  Federal prison for 20 months, three years supervised released.
• James E. Atiabi, 35, Pensacola, — Federal prison for 162 months, three years supervised released.
• John Wyatt Casey, 33, Pensacola  — Federal prison for 115 months, three years supervised released.
• Shannon Lee Hurd, 29, Pensacola  –  Federal prison for 70 months, three years supervised released

Federal prosecutors say suspects were all were involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until their arrests.

The indictments resulted from an investigation by agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office.

Each defendant faces or faced up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.