Leader Of Vero Beach Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison
MIAMI - Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division, Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Deryl Loar, Sheriff, Indian River County Sheriff's Office, announce the sentencing of four Vero Beach residents for their participation in a Vero Beach clandestine methamphetamine lab: Edward McElhenny, 50, Clinton Story, 30, Paul Richardson, 27, and Kelly McCartney, 36.
Edward McElhenny was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release concurrently on two counts. He pleaded guilty on October 7, 2013 to a superseding information charging him with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, over five grams of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. He also pleaded guilty to maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 856(a)(1) and 2.
Clint Story was sentenced to 66 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, concurrently on two counts. He pleaded guilty on September 26, 2013 to manufacturing, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 2. Story also pleaded guilty to maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 856(a)(1) and 2.
Paul Richardson was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on September 20, 2013 to manufacturing, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 2.
Kelly McCartney was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty on September 20, 2013 to manufacturing, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 2.
All four defendants were required to pay restitution to the DEA for clean-up of the clandestine lab.
According to the criminal complaint, during the third week of April 2013, the Indian River County Sheriff's (IRCSO), Multi-Agency Criminal (MACE) Unit conducted an investigation, which led to the execution of a search warrant. On May 9, 2013, members of the DEA-Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement (CLET) executed a state search warrant at the residence of Clint and Angela Story, after a confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Clint Story at his residence. At the time of entry, Clinton Story, Edward McElhenny, Paul Richardson and Angela Story were at the residence and were detained. Clinton Story, Angela Story, and Paul Richardson all admitted to purchasing pseudoephedrine, knowing it was for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Edward McElhenny admitted that he manufactured methamphetamine in the past. The DEA CLET team members searched the home and surrounding property. A search of the residence led to the discovery of pre-cursor chemicals and laboratory equipment which were utilized in and comprised a fully operational methamphetamine laboratory. A fingerprint specialist processed the scene and physical evidence, and discovered the fingerprints of Clinton Story, Edward McElhenny, and Kelly Maureen McCartney. McCartney admitted that she visited Clint and Angela Story's residence on multiple occasions, and was aware of the methamphetamine manufacturing and use that took place at the residence. She also acknowledged that she purchased pseudoephedrine packets on multiple occasions with the knowledge that it was being used to manufacture methamphetamine.
At sentencing, the Court found that McElhenny was responsible for being an organizer or leader of criminal activity involving five or more participants, in that Clinton Story, Angela Story, Paul Richardson and Kelly McCartney all assisted him in the manufacture of methamphetamine, by purchasing the precursor chemical pseudoephedrine from area pharmacies, in an effort circumvent the laws restricting over the counter purchases.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
