Drug case defendant sentenced to nearly 22 years

Meth conspiracy involved white supremacy gang caught in ‘To The Dirt’ investigation

A Clarksville man was sentenced Friday to nearly 22 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy that involved members of a white supremacist gang, U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland announced.

Skippy Sanders, 37, received the 262-month (21.8-year) sentence from U.S. District Judge Brian Miller in Little Rock. Sanders pleaded guilty in October to conspiring to distribute between 5

and 15 kilograms (11 and 33 pounds) of the drug.

In 2016, local and federal law enforcement agencies began an investigation to identify, infiltrate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in Russellville. Hiland said the investigation revealed that Sanders received pound quantities of methamphetamine from known members of the New Aryan Empire, a white supremacist organization that began as a prison gang, and later sold the drug.

Sanders was indicted Oct. 3, 2017, along with 43 other people from the Pope County area who faced drug and gun charges. Agents dubbed the investigation “To The Dirt,” a reference to the empire’s rule that members must remain in the group until they die.

A superseding indictment handed up Feb. 5, 2019, named 11 additional defendants and added charges alleging that some defendants were also involved in attempted murder, kidnapping and maiming.

So far, 26 of 55 defendants in the case have pleaded guilty, and five have been sentenced, as follows: Jared Dale, seven years; Britanny Conner, 10 years; Keith Savage, 10 years; Joseph Pridmore, 12½ years; and Daniel Adame, who also received a 21.8-year sentence.

The remaining defendants are awaiting trial.