Cherokee County Residents Plead Guilty To Federal Drug And Firearm Charges

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ricky Dale Degase, age 30, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Andrea Dawn Winsett, age 34, of Park Hill, Oklahoma, entered guilty pleas to charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  Degase also entered a plea of guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.

The Indictment against Degase alleged that on March 7, 2023, Degase knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, along with a loaded firearm prohibited to him as a convicted felon.  At the plea hearing, Degase admitted that after a traffic stop on March 7, 2023, he was found to be in possession of 22.36 grams of actual methamphetamine which he intended to distribute, along with a loaded 9mm pistol.  At the time of the offenses, Degase knew he had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

The Information against Winsett alleged that on March 7, 2023, Winsett knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  At the plea hearing, Winsett admitted that on March 7, 2023, after being arrested for driving under the influence, she was found in possession of 14.75 grams of actual methamphetamine which she intended to distribute.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the pleas and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  Degase and Winsett will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.