East Texas woman sentenced to federal prison for fentanyl distribution resulting in death, running ‘Walmart of drugs’ out of Longview home

LONGVIEW, Texas — An East Texas woman was sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in a death. 

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rebecca Diane Merkel, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 

Officials say Merkel operated the “Walmart of drugs” out of her Williams St. home in Longview. She, and her co-defendants, sold illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl-laced pills, in exchange for money, stolen goods, and guns. 

“On March 29, 2023, Merkel sold what were purported to be prescription pills to a victim, who died after ingesting them,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “On March 30, 2023, law enforcement located the victim’s body inside a vehicle in a remote area in Rusk County, where other co-defendants staged the body to avoid detection by authorities. An autopsy determined that the victim died of a fentanyl overdose. On May 10, 2023, Merkel was arrested following a traffic stop during which officers recovered a firearm, methamphetamine, heroin, crack cocaine, and pills that were later determined to contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid commonly used as an analgesic or anesthetic that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Merkel admitted to selling controlled substances from her residence, including in the time frame during which the victim purchased the fatal dose.”

 Six other co-defendants were also sentenced for their roles:

• Timothy Wayne Yow, 58, of Longview; 188-month sentence;
• Jonathan Schurr, 26, of Longview; 46-month sentence;
• Stephanie Nichoal Kravis, 38, of Kilgore; 140-month sentence;
• Wesley Ryan Parker, 33, of Carthage; 120-month sentence;
• Daulton Wayne Anthony, 31, of Carthage; 71-month sentence; and
• Kylie Breaane Durand, 28, of Carthage; 37-month sentence

“During the course of this investigation it has been our privilege to partner with surrounding Sheriffs’ Offices and federal agencies to provide manpower and other assistance. We appreciate our counterparts at ATF and the US Attorney’s Office for their help investigating and prosecuting violent crimes and narcotics offenses in our area,” said Panola County Sheriff Cutter Clinton. He added, “The opioid crisis often results in other criminal activity, particularly property crimes and violent crimes involving illegal firearms. By introducing fentanyl into the mix unsuspecting victims have experienced overdoses, often with fatal results. By working together, we can make our communities safer for our citizens.”

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