A third operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration began in August 2021 when DEA and the North Little Rock Police Department identified street-level methamphetamine and fentanyl. 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. Reports say that authorities made the arrest around 5:43 p.m. on Idaho Drive after they found Hall inside of a vehicle. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. P.O. 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 .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. White County drug bust seizes 67 pounds, $3M worth of narcotics Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. commissioner, AR Guardsmen win International Sniper Competition, AR hunter facing fines for killing Alaska caribou, Free concerts, food at Bridge Street LIVE in Hot, Man who lost wife, son in mass shooting tells story, Regulators seize First Republic in 3rd bank failure, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Best Mothers Day Gifts for moms obsessed with books, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Postal Service. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS According to the Johnson County Sheriff's office, the driver of a vehicle ran away from the traffic stop after a deputy saw methamphetamine . So if you just do the math on those 24,000 pills, youre looking at 4,000 lethal doses or possibly 4,000 lives that have been saved just on this one stop.. Arkansas overdoses from drugs laced with fentanyl on the rise 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. Smith was booked into the Clay County Detention Center on the charge of trafficking a controlled substance. 15 people arrested in Little Rock-based drug trafficking bust 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. We will continue to identify and bring to justice offenders like these to protect our communities and the U.S. Mail.. ARKANSAS, USA Arkansas State Police (ASP) have arrested 22 people in connection to an alleged narcotics operation in St. Francis County. 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. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The investigations focused on rival gangs responsible for violence throughout central Arkansas, with one operation focused on the EBK -- Every Body Killas -- gang and resulting in the indictment of 35 defendants. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine is punishable by not less than 10 years, not more than life, incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $10,000,000, and not less than five years supervised release. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Of the 80 defendants indicted in the three investigations, 8 of those were already in custody when this mornings roundup began. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. An indictment contains only allegations. They also bought more than a 2.2 pounds of cocaine from the organization and used. These large-scale investigations and ultimate arrests take a well-planned coordinated effort by many law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels, stated Thyer. Additional support was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Joint Task Force; and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. The maximum penalty for being a felon or an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm is 10 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. These arrests are indicative of our commitment to rid our communities of these criminals determined to profit on the backs of addiction. 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. Not only are the drugs taken off the street, but the associated weapons and criminal enterprise is removed from our neighborhoods. Officers stopped a vehicle driven by Jayuian Ellington, 44, of North Little Rock for having defective equipment and smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, the report said. Prior to his death, Detective Collins was assisting FBI with intelligence related to criminal activity of these gangs, as well as surveillance, interviews, and arrests of individuals responsible for criminal activity in Pine Bluff. Prior to Wednesdays FBI arrests in their operations involving the EBK and Loady Murder Mobb gangs, investigators seized 42 firearms, including two machine guns; approximately $775,000 in cash and $428,000 in jewelry; approximately 278 pounds of marijuana, which has an approximate street value of $450,000; 7 ounces of cocaine; 3 ounces of crack cocaine; 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine; and 116 pills containing fentanyl. Lane said last fiscal year, the total dollar amount of seized drugs from task force members was around $79 million. Three defendants are named in multiple indictments. 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.". In total, deputies found 62 lbs. Email Email. Agents made contact with these two individuals at their apartment on 3rd Street in Marmaduke. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Gioelli is one of 17 co-defendants who are a part of the case targeting Desmond Kelley, who was head of another fentanyl distribution ring in central Arkansas. An official website of the United States government. We are proud of this partnership which remains focused on dismantling the violent criminal enterprises which attempt to root their networks within our communities, said Special Agent In Charge David T. Resch of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. These efforts are part of several Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operations. During the arrest, authorities found guns and. No Thanks 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. 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. Box 1229 Eastern District of Arkansas | Jury Convicts Little Rock Man for The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including: the Little Rock Police Department, Benton Police Department, Sherwood Police Department, Pulaski County Sheriffs Office, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Marshal Service. North Little police arrest man carrying over $175,000 worth of drugs, guns Authorities arrested 33-year-old Michael Hall for outstanding warrants. [], Sounds to me like this is bullshit. Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. O.C. 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. Marshals, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, the U.S. Attorneys office, and the FBI.. Get FBI email alerts Arkansas drug and firearm investigations lead to 80 indictments - MSN 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. Drug trafficking brings violence and fear to our communities, and we will do everything we can to protect our streets from these crimes, stated Jonathan D. Ross, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Eastern District of Arkansas | Gang Activity in White County Results in A lock ( During the stop, he asked to search the car and was given permission by the driver. Legal Statement. 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. The FBI investigation began in January 2013. 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. Three; Michael Dawkins, Rodriques Davis and Richard Beason, are still at large. Agencies make large bust after mailed drugs intercepted Terrell Fordson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, while federal prosecutors dismissed two other charges. 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. 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.'. Rhodes told the confidential source to meet him in the John Barrow area of Little Rock. PressReader. In addition, agents seized more than nine ounces of crack cocaine and more than 165 pounds of marijuana. LITTLE ROCK-A sweeping law-enforcement operation that involved numerous agencies and targeted members of a drug-trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in central Arkansas resulted in more than a dozen arrests Tuesday morning. 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 the rapper Bankroll Freddie, whose real name is Freddie Gladney III. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! DEA agents arrest 13, seize drugs & gun in North Little Rock - KARK We are fortunate to have good working relationships where drug trafficking organizations such as this one are dismantled. "Operation Hartbreak Kid" Results in Thirteen Arrests Also, agents found a journal where Clairday made entries as far back as 2018 where he described his experiments with growing mushrooms and his recipes for DMT production and use. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. 15 people arrested in Little Rock-based drug trafficking bust. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Arkansas, Investigations Built on the Work of Late Pine Bluff Detective Kevin Collins, Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), Three Federal Operations in Pine Bluff and Little Rock Lead to Dozens of Drug & Firearm Arrests, 35 Years In Federal Prison for Convicted Cocaine Trafficker, Operation "Candyland" Leads to Multiple Drug Arrests in Marianna and Forrest City, Little Rock Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl That Resulted in Death. Manuel Taylor was charged in a separate indictment. LITTLE ROCK (KATV) Seven people have been arrested in connection with an ongoing drug investigation in Jonesboro. The release says authorities seized about 16.2 pounds of cocaine, 7.7 pounds of marijuana, 13 firearms and $9,540. He was taken to the Pulaski County jail but was no longer on the jail roster as of Saturday evening. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Eight plead not guilty in federal, state drug bust in Jonesboro - KAIT Three men pleaded guilty in two separate fentanyl cases in federal court in Little Rock on Wednesday. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This investigation culminated in the indictment of 18 defendants. "Law enforcement discovered that the gangs were funding their violent activity primarily through the sale of large quantities of high-grade marijuana," the release read. 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. 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. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. On June 16, 2021, Agents with Homeland Security and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force, partnered with officers from Jonesboro Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Craighead County Sheriffs Department, Greene County Sheriffs Department, Clay County Sheriffs Department, Rector Police Department, Marmaduke Police Department, Pocahontas Police Department, and the Paragould Police Department in what started as a controlled delivery of a package of drugs from Mexico, and led into the shutdown of a 4 year long mushroom and DMT home lab and dispensary. , These arrests represent the commitment of the U.S. Three Federal Operations in Pine Bluff and Little Rock Lead to Dozens The last couple of years weve seen larger and larger amounts.. 7 arrested in Jonesboro drug bust, $35,000 worth of meth - KATV 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. A multiagency sweep early Wednesday involving 14 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies netted the arrests of 45 people, Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Bragg announced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon that 45 people had been arrested on charges involved drug trafficking, weapons violations and gang activity. Kelley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in February. The two FBI operations, each focused on a rival gang, were created to address violence and drug trafficking in the corridor between Pine Bluff and Little Rock. "Kevin really worked hard at his job and being a police officer," Hobbs said. Another search warrant was then executed at the apartment in Marmaduke. 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. 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. FBIs GETROCK Task Force was formed in 2017 in response to the escalation in gang and gun violence in Little Rock. A third operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration 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 West Coast source. "When my alarm went off at 3:15 this morning," Harper said,"Detective Collins' spirit was with not just me, but the entire team, the investigative team, the arrest team and the prosecutorial team.". He said the arrests on Wednesday began at 6 a.m. as officers fanned out looking for more than 60 defendants named in the two FBI indictments. 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. On Wednesday and in prior operations involving the EBK and Loady Murder Mobb gangs, investigators seized a total of 46 firearms, including two machine guns; approximately $805,000 in cash and $428,000 in jewelry; approximately 278 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $450,000; nine ounces of cocaine; four ounces of crack cocaine; 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine; and 116 pills containing fentanyl. 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. Legal Statement. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. An investigative focus on the pipeline of drugs and firearms between Pine Bluff and Little Rock resulted in the indictment of 80 individuals, all charged with various federal firearms and drug trafficking charges in multiple indictments that were unsealed today. During the "controlled buy," Rhodes asked the confidential source, "What you got?" Todays arrests are the culmination of a long term collaboration between the Little Rock, Benton, and Sherwood Police Departments, as well as the Pulaski County Sheriffs Department, U.S. Multiple undercover operations and numerous other law enforcement actions, including multiple seizures of cocaine and crack cocaine were used during the investigation. A press release from the drug task force detailed a large interagency drug bust this week in NEA. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. 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. 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. Unfortunately, its getting to be the norm, Lane said. The formal accusation accuses Gladney of selling marijuana, possessing several firearms including 9mm handguns, an AM15 multi-caliber rifle, 5.56 NATO caliber rifle and SKS rifle. 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. (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. 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. Official websites use .gov Mexican cartels are marketing their drugs through social media: Former DEA special agent. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. "These operations today are, in part, a continuation of those efforts," Dawson said, adding that the indictments unsealed on Wednesday are part of an ongoing effort to disrupt the activities of violent street gangs in Arkansas. 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. "That regret and grief over the loss of his life led to an even greater resolve by his colleagues, including the task force, who have been working hard to investigate these cases.". 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.
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