FENTANYL DEATH IN INDIAN COUNTRY LEADS TO TWO PLEADING GUILTY TO DRUG CONSPIRACY

OKLAHOMA CITY – JOANIE ANN WILSON, 38, and REECY ANN BENCH, 21, both of Stephens County, have pleaded guilty to participating in a drug conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

In May 2024, Wilson and Bench were charged by Superseding information for their roles in a drug conspiracy. On August 23, 2023, a resident of Stephens County died of a fentanyl overdose. According to public records, in August 2023, Bench and Wilson conspired to purchase and distribute fentanyl, the use of which resulted in the death of the Stephens County resident.

On May 28, 2024, Wilson pleaded guilty and admitted to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Bench pleaded guilty to her role in the drug conspiracy on May 22, 2024. At sentencing, Wilson and Bench face up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $1,000,000 each.

This case is in federal court because Bench is a member of the Choctaw Nation and the crimes occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lawton Police Department, which demonstrates the importance of the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. More information about “One Pill Can Kill” can be found at https://www.dea.gov/onepill. Further information about the danger associated with fentanyl distribution and use can be found at .

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Joynes and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell are prosecuting the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

Press release issued by the United States Department of Justice, United States Attorney Robert J. Troester of the Western District of Oklahoma, May 29, 2024

Link to video on YouTube

?si=7FbJaTVEeKew4lMl