Hot Springs woman sentenced to more than 19 years in federal prison for drug trafficking | Photos and videos

HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs woman was sentenced yesterday to 235 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in United States District Court in Hot Springs.

According to court documents, between April 2021 and May 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents made two (2) separate controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Melissa Kay Lane, 46, in the Western District of Arkansas. , Hot Springs Division. Suspected methamphetamine from the two controlled purchases was submitted to the DEA Southeast laboratory and determined to represent a total of 219.13 grams, or approximately 8 ounces, of pure methamphetamine.

In September 2021, Lane was arrested on outstanding drug warrants issued by the State of Texas. Following his arrest, it was determined that Lane was in possession of more than seven (7) kilograms, or approximately 15.5 pounds, of methamphetamine at his residence.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance from the Hot Springs Police Department and the Eastern 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an operation by the Task Forces on Drugs and Organized Crime (OCDETF). The OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF program is available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Related court documents can be viewed on the Electronic Documents Public Access website at www.pacer.gov.