PAIR BUSTED IN METH STING PLEAD GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - Two accused drug-ring members indicted after last summer's Operation Silent Thunder arrests have pleaded guilty to drug charges, leaving seven people facing trial in federal court.

Wayne Eddlemon, an ex-convict accused of working as a methamphetamine ``cook'' for the drug ring, and Clifford Dodd, accused of preparing ingredients and of distributing the finished product, are scheduled to be sentenced in October.

Each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Dugdale said.

Four people have already entered guilty pleas to drug charges, and a fifth was convicted in a trial.

The remaining defendants are Frank Arana, Christopher Chapman, Jesse Chapman, Marcello Castellano, Deena Beatty, Bobby Bear and Scott Kuhn.

Federal prosecutors said they were not proceeding at the present time against another defendant, Sandra McGuire, because she is sick. She was accused of cleaning equipment used at a clandestine methamphetamine lab, and of disposing of trash and waste it generated.

In the first trial stemming from Operation Silent Thunder, an undercover operation that culminated with predawn raids last Aug. 21, Lancaster machine shop owner Dale Roy Combs was convicted in federal court in April of manufacturing and distributing the narcotic.

Combs faces from 10 years to life in prison when he is sentenced next week.

Combs was found guilty of manufacturing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and distributing more than 500 grams of the drug. The jury deliberated about five hours over two days before reaching its verdict after a weeklong trial.

Other defendants who have entered guilty pleas but have yet to be sentenced are Palmdale motorcycle shop owner Charles Williams, Marvin Dixon Head, Tommy Greene and Richard David Smith.

Greene and Smith each face prison sentences of between 10 years to life.

Greene pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, and Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine.

Williams pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, and Head pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of the drug.