Men convicted for drug distribution in Grand Island area
|
|
Two Nebraska men were convicted Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Lincoln following a 10-day trial for distributing methamphetamine in five areas including Grand Island. John E. Davis, 52, of Benedict and Donald W. Cramer, 51, of Beaver Crossing were convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Mike Heavican said. Davis and Cramer were part of a group of people who bought and sold methamphetamine in the Grand Island, Benedict, York, Fairmont and Columbus areas between August 1997 and September 2001. One person testified at trial that the total amount of meth involved was about 32 pounds. Davis was also convicted of tampering with a witness and use of a gun for a July 24, 2001, incident. On that date, a potential witness in the case was driving past Davis’ house in rural Benedict. Davis walked outside his house carrying a Ruger mini-4 rifle and fired three to five shots in the direction of the witness’ car as he drove past Davis’ house. Bullet holes were later found in the witness’ car. The witness’ name had appeared as a potential witness against Davis in court papers that Davis received prior to the shooting incident. Davis and Cramer were arrested in the fall of 2001 and were indicted on Sept. 18, 2001. Their trial began Nov. 22. Sentencing for both defendants will be March 6, 2003. Davis has been in state custody on York County charges related to the July 24, 2001, incident since July 26, 2001. Cramer was on pretrial release pending the trial results but was placed in federal custody following the verdict. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Kopf was assigned to the case. Others charged in the same scheme were Brian Robson, Mary Negethon, Garet Peters and Tracey Schmeichel, Heavican said. Robson and Negethon both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth, and both have received 10-year federal prison terms, Heavican said. Source : theindependent.com |