News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2008
Contact: Thomas E. Murphy
(314) 538-4660

Members of Ecstasy Ring Sentenced to Prison

JUL 11 -- (Davenport, IA) - On July 8, 9, and 10, 2008, nine defendants convicted of participating in a regional Ecstasy distribution ring with international connections were sentenced on drug conspiracy and money laundering charges, announced United States Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker. The defendants were sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey as follows:

– Kiet Anh Kieu, age 23 of Bettendorf, IA, was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment to be followed by three
years supervised release;
– Anthony Lawrence Dillard, age 26, of Moline, IL, was sentenced to 144 months imprisonment to be followed by
six years supervised release;
– Shawn Michael Demry, age 24 of Davenport, IA, was sentenced to 94 months imprisonment to be followed by six
years supervised release;
– Justin Matthew Tincher, age 20 of Bettendorf, IA, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to be followed by two years supervised release;
– Kyle Thomas Watts, age 23 of Bettendorf, IA, was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment to be followed by two
years supervised release;
– Ellen Lindsey Wilson, age 23 of Bettendorf, IA, was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment to be followed by two
years supervised release;
– Christopher Michael Posey, age 21 of Davenport, IA, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment to be followed
by two years supervised release;
– Rachel Julia Rangel, age 23 of Davenport, IA, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to be followed by two
years supervised release;
– Cole Allen Beebe, age 21 of Bettendorf, IA, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment to be followed by three
years supervised release.

Two other defendants charged in this case, Kevin Anthony Crawford and Steven Anthony Webster, are awaiting sentencing. All defendants were also ordered to pay an assessment of $100 to the Crime Victim Fund.

The defendants in these cases were participants in a regional Ecstasy distribution ring that obtained its supplies from New England, Minnesota, California, Canada, and elsewhere internationally. The defendants were responsible for distributing Ecstasy not only in the Quad Cities but elsewhere in Iowa as well as in Wisconsin, and Illinois. Several of the conspirators began the distribution activities as early as 2005, but the investigation revealed that in its latter stages, from late 2006 until June 2007, the conspiracy was responsible for distributing, or attempting to distribute, at least 71,000 Ecstasy pills. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized 17, 295 pills and $37,462 in drug proceeds. Ecstasy, or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a synthetic, psychoactive drug chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. MDMA is a Schedule I controlled substance that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception.

This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Davenport Police Department, Bettendorf Police Department, and Moline Police Department.

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