DUANE SHERRILL
Contributor
Arrests are still being made after lawmen busted a methamphetamine trafficking ring with many of the co-conspirators already serving their jail time for their part in the illegal operation in Marion County.
Collared most recently was Christopher Lee Jeffers who will be in court Sept. 6 to answer to Class A Felony charges of Conspiracy to distribute more than 300 grams of a schedule II drug, to wit, methamphetamine. A Class A Felony carries 15 to 25 years in prison.
In the warrant against Jeffers, agents with the 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force maintained that during the entire year of 2022, Jeffers conspired with numerous other individuals to distribute over 300 grams of meth in Marion County.
Investigators say they executed search warrants against online media such as Facebook and Cash App while also doing controlled undercover buys from members of the conspiracy. They also surveilled the suspect and gained evidence by questioning some of the conspirators.
Agents specifically noted that Kelly Jewell Nance, Christopher Lynn Sloan and others engaged in the conspiracy.
“The evidence shows that Nance and Sloan would obtain methamphetamine from known and unknown sources including Christopher Jeffers, Kristal Mills-Layne, and Shana Alvey and then provide methamphetamine to co-conspirators including Stacey Pedigo, Paul Crownover, Derek Wilganoski, Paul O’Leary, Stephen Moore, Michael Arron Phillips, Makenzie Ashton, Cortell Ivory, Derrick Alison and William Gary Mosley,” the warrant reads. “The co-conspirators would then distribute the meth to their customers.”
Lawmen say they arrived at the drug weights for which to charge the conspirators by intercepting messages between the conspirators as well as the weights of seized meth and from statements made during interviews with the suspects.
While Jeffers waits for his day in court, other members of the conspiracy have already faced the music for their crimes.
Kristal Mills-Layne entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to sell or deliver 26 grams of meth. She was ordered to serve 90 days of an eight-year sentence with the balance on probation.
Shana Alvey was given an eight-year probationary sentence for conspiracy to distribute meth and must pay $2,000 plus costs.
Stacey Pedigo was given an eight-year probationary sentence for conspiracy to distribute meth and must register with the DOC Day Reporting program.
Derek Wilganoski was directed to serve 61 days of a six-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute.
Michael A. Phillips was given an eight-year probationary sentence for conspiracy to distribute.
Cortell Ivory was placed on probation for six years for conspiracy to distribute.
William Gary Mosley was given an eight-year probationary sentence for conspiracy to distribute.
Christopher Lynn Sloan still has his case pending. Court date set for Sept. 6, 2023.
Kelly Jewel Nance is still pending. Court date is set for Sept. 7 and Sept. 12.
Paul Allen Crownover is still pending Court date is set for Oct. 25
Paul O’Leary is still pending. It was waived to the Grand Jury.
Stephen Tyler Moore is still pending Court date is set for Sept. 7 and Sept. 12.
