Christopher Stafford, 37, of Princeton, Indiana and Donnell White, 47, of Louisville, Kentucky have been sentenced to 5 and 10 years in federal prison, respectively. Both defendants pled guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, between November 6 and 22 of 2019, Christopher Stafford and Donell White conspired together to possess and distribute between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine ice.
On November 20, 2019, law enforcement officers pulled Stafford over in Princeton, Indiana. During the traffic stop, officers searched the vehicle and located approximately 190 grams of methamphetamine. When interviewed by police, Stafford admitted to distributing additional methamphetamine that he purchased from Donnell White over a prior, two-week period.
On November 22, 2019, White agreed to sell one pound of methamphetamine to Stafford for $3,800. White agreed to deliver the substances from Louisville, Kentucky to Stafford’s residence in Gibson County, Indiana. On the same day, Stafford was stopped by law enforcement officers on Interstate 64. During the traffic stop, officers located approximately one pound of methamphetamine in Stafford’s vehicle.
The sentence was announced by Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Indianapolis Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Doug Carter, Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, and Derek McGraw, Chief of Police for the Princeton Police Department.
“Methamphetamine has devastating, and sometimes deadly, effects on users, their families, and our communities,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Concerted efforts to bring this deadly drug across state lines and into our district will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to find those responsible for significant drug trafficking and hold them accountable in federal court.”
“The sentencing of Mr. Stafford and Mr. White send an important message that drug traffickers will be held accountable for selling poison on our streets. It is a big win for law enforcement when we can stop highly addictive drugs, such as methamphetamine, from reaching our communities and causing harm,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon. “DEA remains committed to working hand in hand with our state and local partners to keep our communities safe. DEA commends the outstanding work of the Princeton Police Department, Indiana State Police and the United States Attorney’s Office during the course of this investigation.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Princeton Indiana Police Department and Indiana State Police. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that both Stafford and White be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 and 5 years, respectively.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who prosecuted this case.
