The Orange Leader
February 17, 1988
Drug bust bypasses sheriff's department
From staff and wire reports
BEAUMONT - Federal agents Tuesday afternoon arrested three Orange Men on marijuana charges in a "sting" operation that deliberately excluded the Orange County Sheriff's Department because of an FBI investigation of Sheriff James Wade, even though Orange deputies had helped set up the original operation, U. S. Attorney Bob Wortham said.
FBI agents have alleged in affidavits that Wade is suspected of having been involved in the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamines, a charge leveled by an accused drug dealer arrested in October in Hardin County.
"I don't feel my office can work with the Orange County narcotics officers," Wortham said Wednesday. "For obvious reasons. Because of the FBI operation."
According to an affidavit by U. S. Customs agent Roger E. Bowers f Port Arthur, the three men were arrested after accepting a truckload of marijuana from an undercover officer at a Beaumont truck stop.
U. S. Magistrate J. Michael Bradford set bond at $25,000 with a $1,250 cash deposit for Michael Glynn Sepulvado, 34; Donald Ray Morris, 43; and Charles Leroy Lindley, 51.
All three were charges with possession of more than 100 kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute it and with aiding and abetting possession of the marijuana with intent to distribute it.
Wortham told Bradford each charge carries a penalty upon conviction of five to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.
Bowers said in his affidavit that an undercover operation was initiated in December 1987, in which Lindley furnished a shrimp boat to an undercover investigator with the Galveston County Sheriff's Office for the purpose of bringing a multi-ton load of marijuana from Mexico to Orange.
In return, Bowers said, Lindley was to receive 2,000 pounds of marijuana for the use of his boat.
On Friday, according to the affidavit, the three suspects met with two undercover officers to arrange for delivery of Lindley's share of the marijuana load.
Bowers said he was told by an undercover officer with...........
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