Mother, son drug dealers sentenced to federal prison following ICE HSI investigation
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A Hot Springs, Ark., man who pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas to felony methamphetamine distribution charges was sentenced to six years in federal prison June 15, 2020, following a criminal investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force (JDEDTF).
Dylan Lee Hooks, 24, was sentenced June 15, 2020, to a total of 77 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of distribution of a controlled substance that contained methamphetamine. According to court documents, in the fall of 2019, detectives with the 18th JDEDTF launched an investigation into Hooks for drug trafficking in the Western District of Arkansas. In September 2019, HSI Little Rock agents and JDEDTF detectives conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Hooks.
Hooks was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2019 and entered a guilty plea in February 2020.
Separately, on June 9, 2020, Hook’s mother, Laurie Hooks-Lowrey was sentenced to eight years in federal prison in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas for methamphetamines possession with intent to distribute, following a related HSI investigation.
Hooks-Lowrey, 51, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervision after an HSI Little Rock and the 18th JDEDTF investigation lead to her 2019 arrest.
According to court records, on-or-about October 17, 2019, Hooks-Lowrey distributed over 25 grams of methamphetamine. Court records also revealed that she distributed crystal methamphetamine around Garland County, Arkansas, on at least four other occasions prior to October of 2019.
“HSI is committed to combating the dangerous threat methamphetamine poses to our citizens and the public safety of our communities,” said Jere T. Miles, special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. “Collaborative law enforcement efforts are an effective way to remove dangerous drug dealers off the streets.”
Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Achorn and Special Assistant United States Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted this case for the Western District of Arkansas U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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