United States of America v. Shirley J. Hicks and Shaun M. Ross

Springfield, Missouri criminal defense lawyers represented Defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs.



Shirley J. Hicks, 64, and Shaun M. Ross, 44, both of West Plains, were conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Howell, Greene, and Texas counties.



Hicks, the leader of the conspiracy, and Ross each pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Howell, Greene, and Texas counties from Dec. 31, 2015, to June 21, 2019. Hicks also pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.



When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hicks's residence on July 24, 2018, they found a red toolbox inside a shop/barn that contained six bags with a total of 5.627 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Inside a bedroom closet in the house, officers also found 12 bags with a total of 243 grams of pure methamphetamine inside a black leather bag, and a blue waterproof box that contained 122.892 grams of pure methamphetamine.



During the search, officers also found five handguns in the toolbox and five more firearms in the house. Officers also seized a total of $20,393, which Hicks admitted was proceeds from her distribution of methamphetamine.



Two days later, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance and saw Ross visit Hicks's house. Officers conducted a traffic stop afterward and searched Ross's vehicle, where they found a zippered bag that contained 17.69 grams of methamphetamine, a small bag of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. After Ross was arrested, he told investigators that he purchased methamphetamine from Hicks for $600 per ounce, which he then distributed to others. Ross said he had been getting two or three ounces of methamphetamine from her each month for several months.



Hicks and Ross are among six defendants who have been sentenced in this case.



Fontella J. Noose, 41, of Springfield, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Benny D. Griffin, 59, of West Plains, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Jordan W. Gutierrez, 27, of West Plains, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison without parole. Jose I. Gonzales, 39, of West Plains, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.



Co-defendants Raymon F. Ortega, 65, of West Plains; James E. Cooper, 54, of Mountain View; and Luis Ortiz Rodriguez, 39, address unknown, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.



This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Sarff. It was investigated by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Howell County, Mo., Sheriff's Department, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, and the Mountain View, Mo., Police Department.



CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - SELL, DISTRIBUTE, OR DISPENSE

(1)



CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - SELL, DISTRIBUTE, OR DISPENSE

(6)

Hicks:



The Court hereby orders the defendant to serve the following term of incarceration with the FBP: 241 months as to each Counts 1 and 6 terms to run concurrently for a total term of 241 months; followed by supervised release for 5 years as to each count, terms to run concurrently. Defendant is remanded to custody. Fine waived. MPA $200. Preliminary Order of Forfeiture is finalized and imposed.



Shaun M. Ross:



72 months as to Count 1 of the Indictment. The Court recommends that the defendant be designated to an institution for participation in RDAP and UNICOR. Defendant is remanded to custody. Supervised Release 5 years. Fine waived. MPA $100.