TYLER, TX – United States Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced today that three Gregg County residents have pleaded guilty to drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
 
APRIL NICOLE JONES, age 24, of White Oak, Texas, admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. 

GARY DON KIRKLAND, also known as GRAVEDIGGER, age 35, of Gladewater, Texas, admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. 

TONYA JANAY HOUSTON, also known as TJ, age 29, of Longview, Texas, admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. 

According to information presented in court, since approximately July 2004, the defendants had been conspiring to distribute methamphetamine to others in and around the Longview, Texas area.  A 1-count federal superseding indictment was returned on October 2, 2007, charging 15 individuals, including Jones, Kirkland and Houston, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  The trio entered their pleas today during an appearance before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love. 

At sentencing, Kirkland and Houston both face sentences of up to 40 years imprisonment and fines up to $2 million.  Jones faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1 million.  Sentencing dates have not been set at this time.
  
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit (CODE), Gregg County Sheriff's Office and the Longview Police Department.   This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Moore.