Men Sentenced in Major Drug Conspiracy

TYLER — Two East Texas men have been sentenced to federal prison for money laundering convictions.

Tony Harris, also known as California Red, 33, of Marshall, and Lakendrick Miller, also known as Pee Wee, 26, of Longview, were convicted in February of money laundering following a three-day trial. They were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Harris was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison and Miller received 252 months in federal prison. They were also both assessed forfeiture judgments of $1.5 million and ordered to relinquish assets which were seized from them at the time of their arrests, including several luxury cars and over $17,000 in cash.

Federal prosecutors say from April 2007 to June 2009, Harris and Miller were involved in a drug trafficking scheme which involved money being sent to California where it was used to buy illegal prescription drugs, such as codeine and hydrocodone. The prescription drugs were then smuggled from California to East Texas for distribution. After the illegal prescription drugs were sold in East Texas, the money was sent back to California to purchase more drugs, luxury cars, and other property. During trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that more than $2 million was laundered through this scheme. A 14-count federal indictment was returned by a grand jury on June 3, 2009, charging Harris, Miller and 5 other individuals with conspiracy to commit money laundering.