Conway, Arkansas – A Conway couple, Terry Wayne Franklin and Mary Danielle Sheppard, has been sentenced to a combined 45 years in federal prison after selling fentanyl to a victim who later overdosed and died. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, following the sentences handed down by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
Sentencing Details
Franklin, 39, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. His wife, Sheppard, 36, received a 20-year sentence, also followed by three years of supervised release. Both sentences were handed down this week, and neither individual will be eligible for parole, as there is no parole in the federal system.
“This couple made the decision to sell pills containing a deadly, illegal drug, unfortunately resulting in yet another loss of life from the use of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Ross. “Let this sentence serve as a warning to those who sell fentanyl in any form, that you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and the penalty is severe.”
The Investigation and Charges
The couple was charged in a two-count indictment on July 5, 2023, with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Sheppard pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl on March 21, 2024, while Franklin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on April 1, 2024.
The investigation began after an overdose incident on May 15, 2022, when the Greenbrier Police Department responded to a residence where the victim was found unresponsive. Despite being transported to a hospital in Conway, the victim died. At the scene, officers discovered blue, round pills marked “M30”, which later tested positive for fentanyl.
Through a detailed investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Conway Police Department, it was revealed that Franklin had been in communication with the victim about purchasing fentanyl pills. Text messages showed that Franklin directed the victim to pay Sheppard through CashApp and to meet Sheppard to obtain the pills. Surveillance footage confirmed the meeting between the victim and Sheppard on the night the victim received the pills and subsequently died.
Additional Evidence of Fentanyl Distribution
Four months later, on September 16, 2022, Franklin and Sheppard were stopped by a police officer in Nacogdoches, Texas, while traveling toward Arkansas from South Texas. During the traffic stop, officers discovered numerous pills containing fentanyl, further solidifying their involvement in the illegal drug trade.
This case was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Greenbrier Police Department, the Conway Police Department, and the Nacogdoches Police Department. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Gordon and Reese Lancaster.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that continues to contribute to the opioid crisis and numerous fatalities nationwide. As fentanyl remains a leading cause of drug-related deaths, federal and local authorities are committed to holding individuals accountable for contributing to the crisis. This case highlights the devastating impact of the drug and the severe penalties faced by those who profit from its distribution.
