CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Eleven members of a methamphetamine trafficking ring in Western North Carolina were sentenced to prison on Thursday, federal authorities say.
Authorities say from 2018 to April of 2019, the eleven individuals listed below were involved in a drug conspiracy that trafficked and distributed methamphetamine in Catawba, Lincoln, Caldwell, and Alexander Counties and elsewhere in Western North Carolina.
Police say during their investigation they seized over 23 firearms and more than $250,000 in drug money.
The following individuals, each of whom plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell on Wednesday, August 4th and Thursday, August 5th:
- Kimberly Deann Bumgarner, 56, of Claremont, N.C., was sentenced to 60 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Bumgarner also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Ruth Marie Dugger, 38, of Claremont, N.C., was sentenced to 132 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Duggar also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Aaron Douglas Goodson, 30, of Maiden, N.C., was sentenced to 210 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Goodson also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Tiffany Christmas Hirani, 34, of Monroe, Georgia, was sentenced to 210 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Priscilla Chapman Lambert, 34, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced to 151 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Brian Duane Martz, 42, was sentenced to 191 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Lowell Thomas Messer, 44, of Newton, N.C., was sentenced to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Messer also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jason Keith Reichard, 39, of Newton, N.C., was sentenced to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
- Cynthia Roxanne Shook, 35, of Catawba, N.C., was sentenced to 60 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Shook also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Thomas Dewayne Simmons, Jr., 35, of Snellville, Georgia, was sentenced to 150 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Simmons alsopleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Samantha Jean Taylor, 26, of Newton, N.C., was sentenced to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
Authorities say three other members of the conspiracy plead guilty for their participation including James Kristoffer Cantley, Jonathan Corey Daniel, and Michael James
Notheisen. Each plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Cantley and Daniels have also each plead guilty to possession of a firearm to further a drug trafficking crime, and a sentencing date for Cantley, Daniel and Notheisen has not been set, according to a news release.
