HOT SPRINGS – Three Hot Springs residents have been sentenced to more than 46 years combined in federal prison to be followed by terms of federal supervised release for methamphetamine distribution and firearm offenses. The Honorable District Judge John Thomas Shepherd presided over the sentencing hearings, which took place in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court records, in 2025, law enforcement agents conducted undercover controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Morris Zane Allen, age 60. Ultimately, law enforcements agents determined that Kimberly Medina, age 56, was delivering methamphetamine to Allenat the direction of the leader of the drug trafficking organization, KeAndria Haywood, age 37. Law enforcement agents conducted a search warrant at Allen’s residence and found Allen in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine and a firearm. Haywood was encountered on a motor vehicle traffic stop and found to be in possession of multiple controlled substances, to include methamphetamine and a firearm, along with United States currency utilized for some of the previous controlled purchases of methamphetamine with Allen. On December 1, 2025, Morris Zane Allen pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute of More Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. On December 2, 2025, Kimberly Medina pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute of More Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine. KeAndria Haywood appeared before the Court on May 4, 2026, and pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 50 Grams of a Methamphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute of More Than 5 Grams of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. On September 30, 2026, all three defendants appeared in separate proceedings before District Judge John Thomas Shepherd. Morris Zane Allen was sentenced to a term of 240 months imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. Kimberly Medina was sentenced to a term of 53 months imprisonment also to be followed by 5 years of federal supervised release. KeAndria Haywood was sentenced to a term of 260 months imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. In total, the members of the Drug Trafficking Organization led by Haywood were sentenced to 553 months, or more than 46 years combined, of imprisonment. United States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hot Springs Police Department investigated the case. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the 18th East Judicial District also assisted with the prosecution and investigation of this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Bryan A. Achorn prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.