Four given long prison sentences for local meth conspiracy

The United States Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly announced today that 29-year-old Rodney Bishop of London, Ky., 31 year -old Edward Wagers of Corbin,Ky., 19-year-old Jordan Smith and 43-year-old Charles Jones both of Barbourville, Ky. pleaded guilty on Tuesday to participating in a methamphetamine conspiracy in Knox and Laurel Counties.

In the course of their guilty pleas, all four defendants admitted they participated in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.  The conspiracy started in January 2007 and continued through early 2009.  All four also admitted that they

obtained pseudoephedrine to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Bishop admitted that he manufactured

methamphetamine, while Wagers, Smith and Jones admitted that they aided others by overseeing and transporting materials to be used in the course of the conspiracy.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, the four men pleaded guilty to the following charges:

*Edward Wagers – Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

 * Jordan Smith – Possession of equipment used to  manufacture methamphetamine. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 40 years.

* Charles Jones – Possession of equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine.
He faces up to 20 years in prison.

* Rodney Bishop – Possession of pseudoephedrine used to manufacture
methamphetamine.  He faces up to 20 years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The

United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen C. Smith and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Pratt.

All four defendants are currently scheduled to appear for sentencing before United States District Court Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove in London, Ky. on June 6, 2010. Any  sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the  United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.