Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: January 12, 2006

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS OF FOUR MEMBERS OF A LOCAL METHAMPHETAMINE DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATION

A recent Drug Enforcement Administration investigation that was headed up by a Caddo Parish Sheriff Deputy assigned to the DEA, has resulted in the arrests and convictions of four individuals involved in the distribution of multiple ounce quantities of Methamphetamine “Ice”. The investigation began in June 2005 and culminated with a guilty verdict in Federal District Court on Tuesday January 10, 2006.

Michael Chad James, Jason David Rakel, and Sheri Harrison each pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine or 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Brian Stephen Phelps was convicted January 10th of Possession with Intent to Distribute methamphetamine.

Ice is a highly addictive, smokeable form of methamphetamine. Purity levels of the initial two exhibits of methamphetamine in the case were 90% and 87% respectively.

The DEA was assisted in this investigation by the Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Unit. The investigation is ongoing.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews