The final member of a drug trafficking organization in Northwest Arkansas has been sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine distribution. The sentencing hearings were overseen by Judge Timothy L. Brooks at the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
Court documents reveal that an investigation began in October 2022, led by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and investigators from the Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force (JDTF). The operation targeted a drug trafficking group operating in the Fayetteville Division, responsible for distributing methamphetamine. Charles Grinder was identified as a leader within this organization, described as an incarcerated gang member supplying methamphetamine to the Western District of Arkansas.
The following individuals have been sentenced:
- Charles Grinder, age 44, from McAlester, Oklahoma: Aiding and abetting the distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; sentenced to 420 months imprisonment with a five-year supervised release.
- Chelsea Dray, age 30, from Bentonville, Arkansas: Distribution of methamphetamine; sentenced to 96 months imprisonment with a three-year supervised release.
- Paige Johnson, age 33, from Claremore, Oklahoma: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 87 months imprisonment with a three-year supervised release.
- James Johnson, age 40, from Wagoner, Oklahoma: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 188 months imprisonment with a three-year supervised release.
- Destiny McGinnis, age 29, from Stillwater, Oklahoma: Aiding and abetting the distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; sentenced to 46 months imprisonment with a three-year supervised release.
- Christopher Outlaw, age 39, from Tulsa, Oklahoma: Aiding and abetting the distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; sentenced to 72 months imprisonment with a four-year supervised release.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes announced these sentences. The case was investigated by several agencies including the FBI's Fayetteville Resident Office and local sheriff's offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Briana Robbins and Kim Harris prosecuted on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies.