DEA is committed to its partnerships with all of our law enforcement allies in our ongoing efforts to make our communities safer and a better place for our families and children. A locked padlock If convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine each defendant will face a sentence of not less than 10 years to life imprisonment. "The most violent offenders, the most violent groups in the most violent places," Ross said, "these are our priorities.". Both Clairday and Smith were booked into the Greene County Detention Center on trafficking a controlled substance, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several charges of possession of controlled substances with purpose to deliver. Three federal investigations focused on the drug and firearm pipeline in Arkansas came to a head on Wednesday morning when 80 indictments were unsealed and 45 arrests were made, which included. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. According to a news report, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas said a grand jury indicted 19 . He was trying to make an arrest of a guy who had already killed someone.". "Kevin really worked hard at his job and being a police officer," Hobbs said. Following a three-day trial and after one hour of deliberation, the jury convicted Jemel Foster, 32, of four federal drug and firearm crimes, including distribution of fentanyl that resulted in death. J. Volpe later. All rights reserved. She is charged with felony trafficking Xanax, felony possession of methamphetamine with purpose, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of drugs in proximity to certain facilities and felony unauthorized use of another person's property. The units investigations and operations are coordinated out of FBI Little Rocks field office, and GETROCK continues to serve as the clearinghouse for gang-related law enforcement activity in Central Arkansas. 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Arkansas overdoses from drugs laced with fentanyl on the rise With the rise of drugs being laced with fentanyl, state officials say there were 618 overdose deaths in 2021 with about 65% of. Included in the indictment were several forfeiture counts which called for the forfeiture of multiple vehicles used by the Freddie Brewster organization, including the inventory of the used car shop. According to reports, authorities underwent the. Possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams but less than 280 grams of crack cocaine is punishable by not less than five years, not more than 40 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $5,000,000, and not less than four years supervised release. This operation, named after lead defendant Derrick Hart, 27, of North Little Rock, targeted drug distribution in the North Little Rock area. The total street value of the bust more than $3 million, one of the largest traffic-stop-related drug busts in White County history. Javier Rodela and Alejandro Flores of El Paso Texas were charged with trafficking a controlled substance and are being held in the White County Detention Center on $400,000 bonds. Sounds like bad cops planting shit and another thing the Clairday boy I can guarantee he doesnt mess with meth nor cocaine due to loosing family members to that drug he hates it. (Prince Williams/Wireimage). ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Brenda Golden Day- age 36, Fort Smith, Arkansas - sentenced April 1, 2021 to 60 months BOP and $100 special assessment for Distribution of More Than Five Grams of Methamphetamine. Most of the defendants who were arrested this morning will appear at a later date for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe. According to the plea agreement, Fordson was responsible for between 24 and 32 grams of fentanyl. The investigations focused on rival gangs responsible for violence throughout central Arkansas, with one operation focused on the EBK or Every Body Killas gang and resulting in the indictment of 35 defendants. Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins was shot and killed in October 2020 while serving an arrest warrant on an EBK associate wanted for a homicide in Georgia. Agencies that assisted the FBI in executing their operations included the Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, Little Rock Police Department, North Little Rock Police Department, Pine Bluff Police Department and Jonesboro Police Department. "We've taken most of those into custody and in the coming days we hope to take the remainder in," he said. LITTLE ROCKThree federal investigations culminated in 45 arrests this morning. All rights reserved. Rawls, 50, of Benton, was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_15_6) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/15.5 Safari/605.1.15, First United Methodist Church Mountain Home, Gardening in the Ozarks with Vicki Garner, Live in the Boat with Binks Guide Service. Postal Service. The DEA Little Rock Office was assisted by the DEA Riverside, California office, United States Postal Inspection Service, North Little Rock Police Department, Sherwood Police Department and Benton Police Department. Collins, Ross said, was working as a task force officer the day he was killed, and he said the investigation into gang violence done by the slain officer had provided much of the intelligence, built upon over the next two years, that was the basis for the indictments. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. In addition, agents seized more than nine ounces of crack cocaine and more than 165 pounds of marijuana. Three; Michael Dawkins, Rodriques Davis and Richard Beason, are still at large. He said that much of the investigative work that led to the indictments was done by task force officers -- local police deployed to work with federal agencies -- out of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff and other local jurisdictions. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Get FBI email alerts [], Sounds to me like this is bullshit. Authorities arrested 33-year-old Michael Hall for outstanding warrants. Gladney was arrested Wednesday in Jonesboro. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Javier Rodela and Alejandro Flores of El Paso Texas were charged with trafficking a controlled substance and are being held in the White County Detention Center on $400,000 bonds. Three more defendants, Quincy Martez Chambers, Deandreian Devonte Meadows, and Joseph Riggins, Jr., are charged separately in stand-alone indictments. One out of every six of these pills on the average contains a lethal dose, Lane said, referring to fentanyl. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters and Amanda Fields with assistance from Cameron McCree. Have a question about Government Services? Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to find and dismantle groups who misuse the U.S. Mail, said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Fort Worth Division of the USPIS. The defendants arrested include Hart, Jenkins, Justin Cross, 29, of North Little Rock; Jonathan Dunigan, 23, of Austin; Andre Graves, 44, of Little Rock; Bianca Lavonda, 33, of North Little Rock; Prince Strong, 37, of Jacksonville; Steven Taylor, 64, of Jacksonville; Daniel White, 34, of North Little Rock; and Dayton Wiggins, Jr., 47, of Jacksonville. During Tuesdays arrests, officers recovered an additional AR-15 rifle. The last couple of years weve seen larger and larger amounts.. Kevin Collins, who was shot to death Oct. 5, 2020 as he attempted to serve an arrest warrant on a known member of the EBK street gang. "We won't stop until we have all of them in custody.". Manuel Taylor was charged in a separate indictment. A federal investigation dubbed Operation Mad Hatter led to the arrest of 15 individuals authorities say are tied to a central Arkansas drug trafficking organization. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Givens. The Brewster DTO was based out of Brewsters Used Auto and Detail shop on Forbing Road in southwest Little Rock. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. [], During this years competition, competitors will use their robots to simulate a waterway cleanup. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. In December 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into a methamphetamine and cocaine distribution ring based in the McAlmont neighborhood of North Little Rock. Ellington, while in handcuffs, broke free from police and fled a short distance before being recaptured, the report said. The investigation revealed drug trafficking and travel between Arkansas and Texas, California, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Twenty-seven fugitives remain after this mornings arrests. Ke'shone Smith of Pine Bluff, who was wanted for a murder in Georgia when Collins was killed, is scheduled to go on trial for Collins' murder April 17 in Jefferson County Circuit Court. Manuel Taylor was charged in a separate indictment. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. He adds the dedication of this deputy resulted in more than just drugs off the street it saved lives, potentially thousands. Investigation revealed the drugs were being mailed into Arkansas from California, and these shipmentswhich included kilogram-quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pillswere then distributed to individuals in Little Rock and Pine Bluff as well as Houston, Texas. This investigation culminated in the indictment of 18 defendants. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms but less than 100 kilograms of marijuana is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $1,000,000, and not less than three years supervised release. Three defendants are named in multiple indictments. Marshals, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, the U.S. Attorneys office, and the FBI.. According to the indictment, Freddie Gladney III and the 34 other individuals allegedly knowingly and intentionally distributed and possessed cocaine, crack-cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Hobbs said the announcement of Wednesday's arrests was particularly meaningful to both him and Collins' mother because of the credit Collins received from federal authorities for the part he played in the investigations. Investigation revealed the drugs were being mailed into Arkansas from California, and these shipmentswhich included kilogram-quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pillswere then distributed to individuals in Little Rock and Pine Bluff as well as Houston, Texas. Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins was shot and killed in October 2020 while serving an arrest warrant on an EBK associate wanted for a homicide in Georgia. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. An indictment contains only allegations. The counts include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine, felon in possession of firearms, money laundering, and the use of telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. P.O. Collins' parents, Charles and Dornetta Hobbs of Pine Bluff, attended the press conference. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Givens. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. PressReader. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? Official websites use .gov On Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Peters filed a motion to dismiss the earlier indictment on the grounds that Gladney's arrest in April was part of the same conspiracy contained in the new indictment. North Little Rock police arrested a 33-year-old man with multiple active felony warrants out. Before todays DEA arrests, investigators seized $146,000 in cash, 10 firearms, 12 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of powder fentanyl, 600 pressed fentanyl pills, 10 pounds of marijuana, and nine ounces of cocaine. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Before Wednesdays DEA arrests, investigators seized $146,000 in cash, 10 firearms, 12 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of powder fentanyl, 600 pressed fentanyl pills, 10 pounds of marijuana, and nine ounces of cocaine. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The drugs were then distributed to individuals in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as well as Houston, Texas. The drugs tested positive for opiates and are believed to be fentanyl. O.C. Local authorities reported receiving citizen complaints about drug trafficking and gunshots at these locations. "He wanted to bring other law enforcement agencies in to be involved in what was going on with the gangs and he made the ultimate sacrifice. Police lights are shown in this file photo. Detectives arrested Krystal Bolen, 37, the report said. We greatly appreciate the FBI and their continued support for this critical mission, said Chief Kenton Buckner of the Little Rock Police Department. Three defendants are named in multiple indictments. LITTLE ROCKA federal jury convicted a Little Rock man who distributed the fentanyl that resulted in a person's overdose death in early 2021. Lock They also bought more than a 2.2 pounds of cocaine from the organization and used. Share on Facebook Facebook Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than 500 grams but less than 5 kilograms of cocaine is punishable by not less than five years, not more than 40 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $5,000,000, and not less than four years supervised release. TWO MEN BUSTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO SELL FENTANYL TO VETS IN BOSTON VA SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM, Rapper Bankroll Freddie attends 1st Party of The Year at Gold Room on January 1, 2022 in Atlanta. A third operation, this one led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), began in August 2021 when DEA and the North Little Rock Police Department identified street-level methamphetamine and fentanyl dealers in central Arkansas who were connected to the same source of supply. Rhodes appeared in front of U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller and was taken into custody after agreeing to plead guilty. During the investigation, Hart and Tetus Jenkins, 43, of North Little Rock, were identified as the sources of supply to more than eight other individuals. Gioelli faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Most of the defendants who were arrested this morning will appear at a later date for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe. He has a lot of things that he looks for to pick up on people that may be trafficking, explained Lt. Scott Seiders with WCSO. Courtney Rhodes pleaded guilty to the distribution of a controlled substance, while the U.S. government dismissed three other charges. LITTLE ROCK, ARChristopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; along with David T. Resch, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Little Rock Police Department Chief Kenton Buckner announced the unsealing of a 62-count indictment charging multiple defendants in Arkansas, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee, with multiple drug, weapons and money laundering charges. WDAR Case No. The release says authorities seized about 16.2 pounds of cocaine, 7.7 pounds of marijuana, 13 firearms and $9,540. Your email address will not be published. These arrests are indicative of our commitment to rid our communities of these criminals determined to profit on the backs of addiction. Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane is seeing more of these stories, massive busts on highways and side roads as traffickers travel the state. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Staci Vandagriff), Dornetta Hobbs, mother of Detective Kevin Collins, uses her mask to dab her eyes during a news conference Wednesday at the U.S. attorneys office in Little Rock. An official website of the United States government. Both agencies believe this seizure of drugs will not only impact the drug trade locally, but also help to identify the 'bad actors' in the city of Little Rock. Authorities arrested Michael Hall and during the arrest police found nearly two handguns, digital scales, suboxone, marijuana, and nearly 2-lbs of fentanyl in his possession that's valued at roughly $175,520 according to reports. Courtney Rhodes pleaded guilty to the distribution of a controlled substance, while the. An official website of the United States government. The distribution ring operated from a parking lot at the corner of Zinnia Street and Cotton Road in McAlmont, as well as a local McAlmont club at 410 Mimosa Street. Main Office: Market data provided by Factset. The defendants arrested today will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe on March 15, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. for plea and arraignment. In addition to the arrests, during the operation authorities seized 4 firearms, one of which was an AR-style pistol; 2 ounces of cocaine; 1 ounce of crack cocaine; and $30,000 cash. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Former DEA special agent Derek Maltz breaks down how Mexican cartels are utilizing social media sites to 'target' young children on 'Lawrence Jones Cross Country.'. An indictment only contains allegations. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Bolen was taken to the Pulaski County jail where she is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. No Thanks 15 people arrested in Little Rock-based drug trafficking bust. Dubbed Operation Candyland, this investigation by the FBI, Arkansas Eastern District of Arkansas Example video title will go here for this video. Agents with Homeland Security received information from FedEx and Border Patrol regarding a package shipped from Mexico to Rector, Arkansas that contained approximately fifteen pounds of DMT, which is a hallucinogenic schedule I controlled substance. During the search, drugs were found and the two men were arrested. Rapper Bankroll Freddie attends 1st Party of The Year at Gold Room on January 1, 2022 in Atlanta. Further, there were numerous items used to produce, grow, cultivate, package, and sell controlled substances. NORTH CAROLINA MAN SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS FOR RUNNING DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION OUT OF DAYCARE, An FBI seal is seen on a wall on Aug. 10, 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska. An investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization based in Little Rock resulted in the early-morning arrests of 22 defendants on charges involving distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, weapons possession, and money laundering charges. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anne Gardner. 20 arrests were made in Little Rock; one, Christian White, was arrested in the Mesquite/Dallas, Texas area; and one, Rachel Green, was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. One of those arrested Wednesday was Freddie Gladney III, 28, an EBK associate and hip-hop artist who goes by the name of "Bankroll Freddie." U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross said Wednesday's operation was part of an ongoing effort to address the problem of gang violence in central Arkansas. Use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime is punishable by not more than four years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than one year supervised release. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Official websites use .gov Catalog; For You; Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. In total, deputies found 62 lbs. Fordson, also a part of the Fuller fentanyl distribution ring, agreed with Fuller and others in 2018 to "distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.". That investigation revealed that drugs were being shipped from California to Arkansas -- including kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pills -- and were then distributed to individuals in Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Houston. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Little Rock District Office conducted their operation with assistance from DEA Riverside, California District Office; USPIS; North Little Rock Police Department; Sherwood Police Department; and Benton Police Department. - Deputies in Johnson County say they made a huge drug bust during a traffic stop Tuesday but think the bigger crime was the suspects bringing Little Debbie into the mix. "We deeply regret the death of Kevin Collins," Ross said. "His name is still out there, people still think about him and he's still helping to make arrests," Hobbs said. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. The investigations focused on rival gangs responsible for violence throughout central Arkansas, with one operation focused on the EBK or Every Body Killas gang and resulting in the indictment of 35 defendants. Rawls, 50, of Benton, was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. During the arrest, authorities found guns and drugs with an overall value of $175,520.
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