(Cheyenne, WY) – Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that Joseph Hooker, age 29, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on October 20, 2021 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Hooker received 120 months on the drug count and 60 months consecutive on the gun count, for a total sentence of 180 months.
In addition, the court ordered him to serve five years of supervised release, to pay $400 in restitution, and to pay a $200 special assessment.
Hooker was involved in bringing substantial amounts of methamphetamine into Casper from the Cheyenne area.
Hooker would then redistribute the methamphetamine through numerous other people, largely in the Casper area.
Hooker’s actions were significant, not only for the amount of methamphetamine involved, but also for the use of firearms throughout the conspiracy.
“We are determined to dismantle armed drug trafficking rings” said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray. “Carrying a gun increases the already intolerable threat drug trafficking brings to the law-abiding citizens of our communities. That increased threat is reflected in this sentence by adding a consecutive term of five years in federal prison.”
This prosecution and related prosecutions were the result of a long-term investigation by the Wyoming Division of Investigation Central Enforcement Team. Hooker was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Blonigen.