Husband and wife receive combined 45 years in prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in death

LITTLE ROCK — Terry Wayne Franklin and his wife, Mary Danielle Sheppard, will spend a combined 45 years in prison after selling fentanyl to a victim who then overdosed and died from the drug. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentences, which were handed down this week by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
Judge Moody sentenced Franklin, 39, of Conway, who had prior felony drug convictions, to 25 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release on Wednesday. Sheppard, 36, of Conway, received a 20-year sentence, also followed by three years of supervised release, on Thursday. 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 Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “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 pair were charged on July 5, 2023, in a two-count indictment for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Sheppard pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death on March 21, 2024, and Franklin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death on April 1, 2024.

A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation revealed that on May 15, 2022, the Greenbrier Police Department was dispatched to a possible overdose at a residence. The victim of the overdose later died at a hospital in Conway. On the scene, officers located several blue, round pills scored “M30”. Subsequent investigation by the DEA and the Conway Police Department discovered numerous text messages between the victim and Franklin discussing the victim’s purchase of fentanyl pills. Franklin directed the victim to make payment to Sheppard’s CashApp account and directed the victim to obtain the pills from Sheppard. Surveillance video also showed the victim and Sheppard meeting the night the victim obtained the pills and died.
Following the victim’s death, on September 16, 2022, a Nacogdoches, Texas, police officer conducted a traffic stop on Franklin and Sheppard, who were heading north toward Arkansas out of south Texas. During the stop, officers located numerous pills containing fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Greenbrier Police Department, the Conway Police Department, and the Nacogdoches, Texas, Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Gordon and Reese Lancaster.