Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL) Copyright: 2003 The Pensacola News Journal Contact: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675 Author: Amber Bollman, of the News Journal Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1907/a05.html SANDSHAKER BAR OWNER PLEADS GUILTY IN DRUG RING Feb. 27 Sentencing Set; Life In Prison Possible The woman known for introducing the Bushwacker to Pensacola Beach pleaded guilty Thursday to federal drug conspiracy and money-laundering charges. Linda Murphy, owner of the Sandshaker Lounge and Package Store, admitted to helping her husband, Robert Murphy, and others pay for large amounts of cocaine that they had been importing during the past three years. Linda Murphy is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 27. She could face from 10 years to life in prison and fines of up to $4 million. She was one of 11 federal suspects arrested last week and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. She originally pleaded not guilty to the charge but reversed that plea during a rearraignment Thursday morning. The money-laundering charge was added Thursday. Three others - Mary Jo Archer, Glen Sanford and Dana Powell - also are expected to change their pleas to guilty today. The only nonlocal resident facing federal charges, Denise Winkler of Pembroke Pines, made her initial court appearance Thursday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Miles Davis. Though she was taken into custody last week, Winkler had to be transported from South Florida. She was released on a $30,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court at 8:30 a.m. today to enter a plea. Last week, four men indicted by a federal grand jury - Robert Murphy, Mitchell "Jackie" Seale III, Jeff Edward Cary and Kenneth Craig Barrow - - pleaded guilty just days after their arrests. On Thursday, Linda Murphy's attorney, Jim Jenkins, said his client has struggled with "a long-standing addiction to cocaine" and added that she was not aware of all the trips her husband and Seale made to South Florida to purchase drugs. "Occasionally she would buy smaller amounts out of the large quantities that they were purchasing," Jenkins told U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson. Nonetheless, Murphy admitted to taking part in the conspiracy and helping to conceal it by allowing her husband and others to use the bar to cash checks that they had received as payment for cocaine. Murphy has been receiving substance abuse treatment at The Friary in Gulf Breeze since her arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Swaim called Linda Murphy's role in the conspiracy "multifaceted," saying she provided money for the purchase of cocaine and helped find others willing to "pony up." Murphy also used the Sandshaker as a "safe location" to meet and make arrangements for drug transactions, Swaim said, adding she allowed cocaine to be stored and distributed at her Panferio Drive home on Pensacola Beach. While federal authorities searched the home last week, Swaim said they found about one-fourth of a kilogram of cocaine. With her attorney's arm wrapped around her back, a weeping Linda Murphy pleaded guilty to both charges and consented to the plea agreement offered by the government. Under the terms of the agreement, Linda Murphy - who is scheduled to be sentenced with her husband - must cooperate with federal authorities as they continue their investigation of the drug ring. She also might be required to forfeit her home, the Sandshaker and all of its assets, accounts and its state liquor license. One thing that will not be seized, however, is $125,000 that was withdrawn from one of the bar's accounts on Dec. 8, the day Linda Murphy was taken into custody. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Len Register, the funds were in a money market account in the name of the Sandshaker. "We cannot establish, with the evidence known to date, that cocaine proceeds were ever placed in that account, as they were with the operational account," Register said. "Nor could we show that the money market account was used to facilitate the cocaine distribution operation." The plea agreement states that the money will be held in trust for Linda Murphy's 8-year-old daughter. At the time of Murphy's arrest, the court allowed a temporary restraining order that would prevent Linda Murphy or any of her employees, family members or associates from selling, transfering or damaging the Sandshaker or its assets. On Thursday, Davis approved a motion that would make that restraining order permanent. According to records from the Escambia County Property Appraiser, Murphy's home and property together is valued at $406,240, while the bar is assessed at $447,890. Federal authorities also are seeking the seizure of a house on Gonzalez Street owned by Cary and a unit at the Emerald Isle Resort Condominium owned by Scott Andrew Carstens. Cary pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges Dec. 12 and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 26. Carstens pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial during the week of Feb. 2. Swaim has called the drug ring "massive and extensive" and said last week that Robert Murphy and Seale had been bringing between 4 and 11 pounds of cocaine into the area every five to six weeks. Additional arrests are expected as a result of the three-year investigation, which has led to drug charges against 40 people at the state and federal levels. Those charged with state drug-related crimes are scheduled to be in court Dec. 30 or 31. The Sandshaker, a beach institution that celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, is best known for the Bushwacker, a popular frozen drink that Linda Murphy began serving in 1977. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake