A man found transporting methamphetamine by aircraft into Tulsa’s Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Badlands Justice McNally, 29, of Tulsa pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for Feb. 1, 2022.
“Badlands McNally flew more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine into Tulsa and was apprehended thanks to the coordinated law enforcement work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Tulsa Police Department,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This arrest and conviction exemplifies why law enforcement partnerships are a force multiplier. Together this team continues to hold accountable those who transport and traffic illicit drugs into northeastern Oklahoma.”
“We will do everything in our power to bring those who traffic dangerous drugs in our communities to justice,” said Christopher M. Miller, Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “This guilty plea not only holds McNally accountable for his crimes but also serves as a warning that Homeland Security Investigations will work diligently to help keep illicit drugs off the streets of our cities and towns throughout Oklahoma.”
On March 16, 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-Tulsa received information from Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operation Center (AMOC) in California, regarding an aircraft which appeared to be heading for Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport in Tulsa after departing Lake Havasu City, Arizona, earlier in the day. AMOC requested that agents conduct a certification inspection on the pilot.
According to the complaint and affidavit, two HSI special agents and a HSI Task Force Officer from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office responded and observed the aircraft landing at 10:55 pm. Upon request from the agents, the pilot, identified as McNally, provided the required documents for verification with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While the documents were being verified, agents engaged McNally in conversation, asking where he was coming from. McNally stated he was returning from Watonga, Oklahoma, but failed to disclose that he had originally departed from Lake Havasu City. Agents then asked if he was transporting anything, but McNally allegedly refused to answer the questions, became increasingly agitated, and avoided eye contact. He further declined when agents requested consent to search his plane.
Agents then requested a canine unit from the Tulsa Police Department to assist. The canine conducted a free air sniff of the aircraft. The canine displayed behavior indicating he smelled an odor and eventually alerted his handler to the presence of illegal substances. As the canine positively alerted to the cargo door of the airplane, agents had probable cause to search the airplane and discovered two duffle-bags filled with methamphetamine, a rifle, two pistols and multiple magazines.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting the case.
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