Escondido
The ringleader in a major methamphetamine operation based in Escondido was sentenced Monday to 24 years and four months in federal prison.
William Lee Prue, 39, of Escondido, pleaded guilty Aug. 13 in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, money laundering and a weapons charge.
Prue and 13 other North County co-defendants were indicted April 11 by a federal grand jury in a 19-count indictment after a two-year investigation.
Most of the other defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced.
Authorities said the operation packaged and sold 150 pounds of methamphetamine in three years.
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