Man accused of leading drug ring sentenced

LITTLE ROCK — A Pulaski County man reputed to be the head of a drug ring that operated in Little Rock and surrounding areas was sentenced to five years in federal prison Wednesday after U.S. District Judge Brian Miller granted a downward variance in the guideline sentencing range.

Monterrio “Money” Fuller, 34, of Little Rock pleaded guilty last June to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana, for which he faced a maximum sentence of 20 years. In exchange for his guilty plea, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Peters moved to dismiss two fentanyl distribution counts, a firearms count, and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, the recommended sentencing range for Fuller’s offense was 70 months to 87 months in prison, a fine of $25,000 to $1 million, and supervised release for three years to life.

The drug ring that authorities said was run by Fuller was one of three operating in and around Central Arkansas that were broken up at about the same time.

The other two, authorities said, were run by Desmond Kelley, 29, and Clifton Williams, 29, both of Little Rock.

Separate indictments in all three cases were handed up by a federal grand jury on the same day, Oct. 2, 2019, and accounted for a total of 39 people indicted on drug conspiracy counts related to distribution of fentanyl in central Arkansas.

Of Fuller’s eight co- defendants, five have been sentenced to terms ranging from time served to four years in prison, and three are awaiting sentencing.

In addition to 60 months in prison, Miller ordered Fuller to undergo substance abuse treatment and to serve three years on supervised release when he leaves prison.