KINGMAN – An ex-con residing in Golden Valley is being sent back to the Arizona Department of Corrections for his admitted involvement in sale of methamphetamine. Mohave County Judge Billy Sipe ordered a 15-year prison term Tuesday for John Holcomb, 57.
Holcomb is one of roughly two dozen defendants indicted for their alleged involvement in two Kingman-based Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO’s) that were the focus of the multi-agency Operation King Crimson investigation. Judge Sipe called Holcomb’s a very serious conspiracy case connected to a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring.
Sipe noted that Holcomb once purchased 2.5-pounds of methamphetamine for $11,200 and admitted regular sale of ounces of meth at a time. Deputy county attorney Jefferson Pyper told the Court last month that Holcomb conspired with alleged DTO ringleader Austreberto Acoltzi-Bautista to acquire 4 ounces of methamphetamine with intent to sell.
Acoltzi-Bautista, 48, allegedly headed up one of the two Kingman based DTO’s that authorities alleged used more than a dozen dealers to push drugs in area communities.
Holcomb pleaded guilty Nov. 24 to one felony charge reduced to conspiracy to commit possession of dangerous drugs for sale. Three possession of dangerous drugs for sale, money laundering and illegally conducting an enterprise counts dismissed in the plea deal.
Holcomb also admitted violating probation for separate prior stalking and burglary convictions.
Sipe said that Holcomb victimized the community by selling locally, as opposed to those arrested when hauling drugs through Mohave County to other destinations. Holcomb has seven prior convictions for felony offenses.
“I take responsibility for my actions,” Holcomb told the Court. “I never want to do this stuff again.”
Dave Hawkins
