Transcript Staff Writer
An Oklahoma City man, originally charged with unlawful trafficking in illegal drugs after being arrested for allegedly transporting several thousand Ecstasy tablets, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison with all but five years suspended.
John Van Tran, 24, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession with intent to distribute. District Judge Bill Hetherington pronounced the sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Rick Sitzman said prosecutors agreed to a one-year judicial review.
"At that time, the sentence could be modified," Sitzman said. "If he does anything extraordinary, the judge might modify the sentence."
Tran was represented by Oklahoma City defense attorney John Coyle.
Tran was arrested March 30, 2007, after being stopped by a Norman police detective. The arresting detective said Tran was traveling northbound on Interstate 35 at 77 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone. The detective ran "Lux," a state-certified drug dog, around Tran's vehicle and said Lux "alerted" to the driver's side of the vehicle. A search turned up several thousand Ecstasy tablets in heat-sealed bags, police said. Ecstasy, or MDMA, is a high-powered stimulant with hallucinogenic properties.
Felony charges filed Thursday include:
Daniel Christopher Green, 18, Moore, false declaration of ownership in a pawn; knowingly concealing stolen property;
Joshua Nicholas Stoker, 22, Oklahoma City, two counts of larceny from a house;
Katie Burton, 24, Chickasha, larceny of a controlled dangerous substance;
Wynona Ann Wilder, 48, Oklahoma City, two counts of knowingly concealing stolen property;
Floyd Eugene Robertson, 48, Ardmore, obtaining cash or merchandise by bogus check.
Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com
Local news
Man sentenced in Ecstasy bust
- Local news
-
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
Nancy Coggins landed a job with a prestigious Oklahoma City advertising agency before the ink dried on her OU journalism diploma. The job was a first rung on her career ladder and she admits that it didn’t call for her creative talents. ...
-
New jail to install curtains
The F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, though still in its infancy, is getting a facelift: new curtains....
-
Businesses go the extra mile for Valentine’s Day
Among the various images the phrase “Valentine’s Day” might conjure in one’s mind, probably the most immediate is the iconic dozen roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates....
-
New rehabilitation, skilled care center will be next to HealthPlex
StoneGate Senior Living President and CEO John F. Taylor announced Friday that his company has completed the purchase of approximately 6.7 acres of land in the Norman Regional Health System’s Medical Park West project at NW 36th Avenueand ...
-
Mystery performance provides theatrical fatal attraction
James Briggs has a pretty steady day job with the city parks department, doesn’t live anywhere near Little River and probably never owned or slept in a hatchback. He doesn’t usually wear sport coats that are two sizes too small, either ...
-
'Get the Lead Out' annual children's art festival enters 10th year
Longfellow Middle School had a special “GLO” about it Saturday morning....
-
County prisoners moved to new jail
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies began moving prisoners from the detention center adjacent to the courthouse to the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center at Franklin Road and U.S. 77 early Saturday morning....
-
School board elections Tuesday
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in four Cleveland County school districts. Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Jim Williams said this will be the first election using the new voting system. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on ...
-
Identity theft crackdown sweeps nation
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department recently announced a national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft....
-
Darry Stacy seeking county commission seat
Darry Stacy, a fifth generation Oklahoman and lifelong resident of Cleveland County, announced Friday that he will be a Republican candidate for the District 2 Cleveland County commissioner seat....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director






