Published: August 29, 2008 11:28 am         

3 locals linked to major area meth ring

Authorities file charges against 22 people for engaging in organized crime

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

PARKER COUNTY – Three Mineral Wells residents were named this week as part of an organized criminal activity warrant roundup prompted by six months of investigation. by the Weatherford-Parker County Special Crimes Unit

Melody Chrystine Crowder, 43, Billy Lee Maltby, 31, and Memorie Rene Murray, 40, are among 22 persons named by the Parker County Sheriff’s Office. The other individuals were from Dumas, Weatherford, Fort Worth, Lipan, Roanoke and White Settlement.

According to Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler, the investigation, which began in February, “identified 32 suspects who in combination of three or more are alleged to have engaged in the clandestine manufacturing of methamphetamine.”

The first strike, Fowler reported, occurred Wednesday with SWAT teams from Fort Worth and White Settlement executing search and arrest warrants for two residences – one located in the 900 block of Hackamore Street and the other located in the 9100 block of North Dodson Street in White Settlement. The Hackamore residence, according to officials, was “believed to have been frequented by many of the suspects during the investigation and reportedly occupied by individuals with ties to the Aryan Brotherhood.”

The initial investigation was prompted by what authorities believed was a conspiracy by the group to steal anhydrous ammonia from the Texas Panhandle and transport it to drug manufacturers in the Parker County area, according to SCU Commander Lt. Mike Camp.

Anhydrous ammonia, according to authorities, is a “chemical precursor used in the clandestine processing” of methamphetamine in what is called a “Nazi cook.”

Camp reported that “various combinations of suspects” were involved in procurement of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process including pseudoephedrine, the manufacturing itself while others provided locations for the drug labs. He also stated “most of the persons received some of the finished product as compensation for their contributions.”

Following the raids, seven suspects were taken into custody while 10 persons wanted in the case were already incarcerated on other charges, including the three Mineral Wells residents.

Maltby and Murray were arrested in May on first-degree drug manufacturing charges after a search warrant was executed at a Southwind Road residence. Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer told the Index that a functioning methamphetamine lab, drug paraphernalia and a quantity of methamphetamine were seized. Their arrests, according to officials, were the result of a month-long investigation between the City/County Narcotics Unit, Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Services.

Through investigation, the duo was linked to the SCU’s investigation in Parker County, officials explained. Since their arrest, Maltby and Murray have remained in Palo Pinto County Jail charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance greater than 400 grams. The additional charge of engaging in organized criminal activity from Parker County authorities was added this week.

Crowder was arrested in June for possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram and possession/transport of a chemical with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance. She has remained in Parker County Jail since her arrest on those two charges with bonds totaling $60,000. She was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity on Wednesday.

The other suspects named are: Jennifer Lynn Adkins, 25, of White Settlement; Tori Lynn Hardwick Amason, 21, of Weatherford; Stephen Leslie Bryant, 47, of White Settlement; William Earl Bryant, 45, of White Settlement; Jessica May Charlton, of Weatherford; David Christopher Coffin, 34, of Fort Worth; Katrina Michelle Davis, 37, of Weatherford; Keith Alan Edwards, 38, of Weatherford; Thomas Richard Frost, 43, of Weatherford; Matthew Ray Glenn, 23, of Weatherford; Guy Dean Harwick Jr., 34, of Weatherford; William Doyle Hicks, 47, of Dumas; Tawnee Carter Hilburn, 20, of Weatherford; William Odis Mote, 44, of Roanoke; Edward Ray Roden, 24, of Lipan; Kelly Vernon Russ, 43, of Weatherford; Aaron Robert Spencer, 34, of Weatherford; Scarlett Rain Tillery, 18, of Weatherford; and Shannon Michelle Trombly, 22, of Weatherford.

The bail for each suspect was set at $30,000 for the charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, according to a released statement. The charge is a first-degree felony offense, which carries a punishment range of confinement up to 99 years or life in prison.

According to Parker County authorities, the investigation entailed hundreds of man hours in witness interviews and suspect interrogations. There were also a number of law enforcement agencies involved including the FBI, DEA, ATF, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, PPCSO, DPS, White Settlement Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department and the Parker County District Attorney’s Office.

PCSO Public Information Officer Mike Morgan said that of their local investigations, this incident is “probably the largest number of arrests at one time since the [Special Crimes] Unit started in 2005.”

Fowler commended all of the officers and agencies who participated in the investigation and the arrest efforts.