A Tulsa man was sentenced Thursday for leading a methamphetamine conspiracy and illegally possessing firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Charles Dean Studie, 37, to 19 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.
“Charles Studie used Tulsa public housing as a base of operations to traffic methamphetamine,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Families in public housing deserve a safe environment to live and raise their children. Thankfully, our partners at the Tulsa Housing Authority Community Enhancement Unit and DEA joined forces to dismantle Studie’s drug operation and protect the community.”
“100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses this year. Oklahomans accounted for 1,009 of those fatalities. As methamphetamine continues to ravage our state, we must stay vigilant in educating our policy makers and enforcing the law on those who would choose to sell and distribute this poison to our citizenry,” said Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado. “I am proud of the work our Tulsa Housing Authority Deputies, in partnership with our colleagues with the Drug Enforcement Administration, have done to ensure the continued safety of our citizens who reside within these housing complexes.”
Studie previously pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
In his plea agreement, Studie admitted that beginning in June 2019, he knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute the deadly drug. He provided methamphetamine and cash to other individuals to promote and further their drug dealing operation, which was being staged out of Tulsa public housing. Studie’s participation required the participation, direction, and action of others, and all parties worked together for their shared mutual benefit. Further, Studie, a felon, admitted that beginning on November 22, 2019, he knowingly possessed a Jennings .25 auto caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Jimenez, .22 LR caliber semi-automatic pistol, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputies that make up the Tulsa Housing Authority Community Enhancement Unit pursued this investigation as part of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the families that live within the Tulsa Housing Authority complexes. The Community Enhancement Unit (CEU) was created through a partnership between the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Tulsa Housing Authority.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.
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