Three Face Arraignment in Synthetic Drug Case

LONGVIEW — Three members of a family facing charges related to selling synthetic drugs from three Longview stores are scheduled for arraignment next week on a new indictment that would increase their prison time and fines. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the superseding indictment against Jeremy Chad Tidwell; his wife, Shanna Peek Tidwell; and his brother, Brian Tidwell, was returned this past week in Tyler. The indictment includes notice that the government intends to seek criminal forfeiture of millions of dollars in cash and property seized in a Dec. 3 raid on three smoking paraphernalia stores owned by the married couple. The notice to seek forfeiture also lists a home in Upshur County, the Longview Candle Store on Estes Parkway, a semi-automatic 9mm pistol, and ammunition.

The three Tidwells were arrested by federal and Gregg County authorities during a raid on the Longview Candle Store, East Texas Vapor Lounge on Pine Tree Road and Longview Vapor Store on Fredonia Street. All three stores are referenced in the federal case by a name they shared � The Glass Dragon. The defendants successfully petitioned Magistrate Judge John D. Love in January to let them reopen the store on Fredonia Street, allowing them to earn a living selling electronic cigarettes and other legal items. Love denied a later request to reopen the store on Estes Parkway.

The new charges boost the potential fines and jail time the trio face. Previously, all three faced three counts with a combined maximum penalty of 45 years in prison and fines of up to $2.25 million. That old indictment accused them of conspiracy to distribute illegal narcotics, synthetic analogues of controlled substances and aiding/abetting in a federal crime. Jeremy and Shanna Tidwell also faced two additional federal charges with up to 23 years and $750,000 in fines. The new indictment boosts the potential jail time to a maximum of 84 years and places the maximum fines at $3,251,000.