Two Smith County women sentenced for drug dealing

This means a little less crystal meth around town.

TYLER — U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that two Smith County women have been sentenced to federal prison for federal drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas. The sentencing hearings were held before U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

PEGGY ANN HELM, 49, of Tyler, pleaded guilty on July 9, 2009, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison today. Helm also agreed to the forfeiture of all weapons seized and a judgment of $100,000.

ASHLEY ANN WALKER, 25, of Bullard, Texas, pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2009, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison today. Walker also agreed to a judgment of $10,000.

According to information presented in court, since February 2004, Helm and Walker were part of a drug conspiracy ring distributing methamphetamine to others in the Longview, Texas area. A federal grand jury returned a 17-count indictment on Feb. 4, 2009, charging 19 individuals with federal drug trafficking crimes.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the East Texas HIDTA Violent Crimes Task Force, the Gregg County CODE Unit, the Gregg County Sheriff's Office, the Longview Police Department, the Gregg County District Attorney's Office, and the Kilgore Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore.

Source: US Department of Justice