3 MORE ADMIT GUILT ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES

Archer, Powell, Sanford Each Reverse Pleas

Three more suspects indicted on federal drug charges last week have pleaded
guilty and have agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation.

On Friday, Mary Jo Archer, Glen Murray Sanford Jr. and Dana Lynn Powell
admitted to taking part in a drug conspiracy that brought more than 5
kilograms of cocaine into the area during the past three years. They
initially pleaded innocent Dec. 12.

Another suspect, Denise Killerlane Winkler, also appeared before U.S.
District Judge Roger Vinson on Friday morning. But Prosecutors and
Winkler's attorney, Carl Lida, asked to have the hearing closed, and Vinson
approved the motion.

"If a judge feels that the need for a closed courtroom in the interest of
justice outweighs the public's right to know, he has the right to make that
decision," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Len Register.

The records of Winkler's court appearance, including her plea, will be
sealed until they are ordered opened by the court. The 43-year-old Pembroke
Pines woman arrived in Pensacola on Thursday after being transported from
South Florida.

Archer, 48, and Sanford, 50, appeared together Friday morning to change
their pleas. During the rearraignment, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Swaim
said both were distributors for the cocaine operation headed by Robert
Murphy and Mitchell "Jackie" Seale III.

Murphy and Seale pleaded guilty Dec. 12 and are scheduled to be sentenced
in February.

Swaim said Sanford accompanied Seale and others on at least one trip to
South Florida to purchase a large quantity of cocaine.

Swaim said the government has evidence showing Sanford "breaking down,
packaging and distributing" the drugs, as well as numerous intercepted
telephone conversations and surveillance video recorded inside Seale's home.

"He also gave Jackie Seale rides to places in this area when he knew that
they were going there to further the drug conspiracy," Swaim said.

Archer, Swaim said in court, sold drugs for Seale and Murphy on several
occasions. He mentioned at least three documented transactions when Archer
sold cocaine that came directly from one of the two men.

During a hearing later in the afternoon, Powell, a licensed mental-health
counselor, entered her guilty plea.

Swaim said Powell helped finance several cocaine purchases from South
Florida and traveled with Seale and Kenneth Craig Barrow, who pleaded
guilty Dec. 12, on their most recent trip in November.

According to a 41-page affidavit prepared by federal investigators, the
three suspects were seen returning from South Florida. Investigators
observed the two men dropping off Powell at her home in Milton before
returning to Seale's residence, where they were recorded preparing a
kilogram of cocaine for distribution.

"She has received cocaine from this conspiracy on many, many occasions, and
money from her has helped continue this conspiracy," Swaim said.

Archer, Sanford and Powell admitted to their roles in the drug conspiracy
without objection.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine
carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and fines of up to $4 million.

Sanford, however, faces a longer sentence because of a prior drug conviction.

In 1988, he was convicted of possession of cocaine and possession of Valium
in Escambia County. Sanford was sentenced to four years' probation, $500 in
fines and mental-health and drug abuse evaluation.

"Because of that conviction, his sentence gets bumped up," Register said.

Sanford, whose sentencing is scheduled for March 3, could face 20 years to
life in prison and fines of up to $8 million.

Archer is to be sentenced March 4. Powell's sentencing is set for March 5.

After her court appearance, Powell was released on a $30,000 bond so that
she can close her counseling practice and transfer her clients into the
care of other mental-health professionals.

"Our concern is mainly for these third parties who may suffer if she is not
released for a period of time," Swaim said.

Robert Murphy also was released Friday on a $100,000 bond. Until his
sentencing Feb. 27, he will be subject to electronic monitoring by federal
authorities.