Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. A coordinated arrest operation took place this morning in Marianna and Forrest City as part of an ongoing federal drug investigation. According to the Little Rock Police. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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 DEA's investigation found drugs were mailed from California into Arkansas in shipments that included kilogram-quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pills, according. 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. 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. He is also accused in the indictment of acquiring these types of guns from a licensed firearms dealer and making false statements during the purchases, possessing one or more machine guns and possessing several guns without serial numbers, among other things. Arkansas drug and firearm investigations lead to 80 indictments She said 27 suspects were still at large Wednesday afternoon and another eight defendants were already in state custody. Have a question about Government Services? Gladney was already under federal indictment for drug and gun crimes stemming from an April arrest by state police following a traffic stop in Crittenden County. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Eastern District of Arkansas | Two Drug Conspiracies Land Little Rock 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 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of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A locked padlock 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. With this investigation, DEA, working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, has taken down a drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing significant amounts of these illegal dangerous drugs into Arkansas through the U.S. Authorities also seized four firearms including an AR-style pistol, 2 ounces of cocaine, 1 ounce of crack-cocaine and $30,000 on Wednesday morning. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Deputies: Drugs found stashed in Little Debbie box during Arkansas 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. From a video recorded inside the confidential source's vehicle, Rhodes can be seen pulling out a large plastic bag with an "off white" substance containing a heroin/fentanyl mixture. 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. Chancellor Damphousse Elected to Serve As President of Sun Belt Conference, In a Position to Give Some Magic This Season? 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. Rain: 7am to 7am: .00 Month: 0.00 Year: 20.21 Recorded temps: High: 63 Low: 45, By: U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Arkansas. Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane is seeing more of these stories, massive busts on highways and side roads as traffickers travel the state. Three; Michael Dawkins, Rodriques Davis and Richard Beason, are still at large. J. Volpe later. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. "The investigation revealed drug trafficking and travel between Arkansas and Texas, California, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma.". 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. 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. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Of the 80 defendants indicted in the three investigations, 8 of those were already in custody when this mornings roundup began. Manuel Taylor was charged in a separate indictment. The drugs were then distributed to individuals in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as well as Houston, Texas. Smith was booked into the Clay County Detention Center on the charge of trafficking a controlled substance. 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. According to a release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Drug Enforcement Admiration arrested 13 people as part of Operation Hartbreak Kid, which was named after the man agents believe to be the lead defendant in the case, 27-year-old Derrick Hart. This investigation culminated in the indictment of 18 defendants. "Kevin really worked hard at his job and being a police officer," Hobbs said. 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. Kelley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in February. According to the Johnson County Sheriff's office, the driver of a vehicle ran away from the traffic stop after a deputy saw methamphetamine . Rhodes told the confidential source to meet him in the John Barrow area of Little Rock. Possession with the intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine 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. Prior to todays 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. The U.S. Attorney's office said Wednesday that all defendants currently in custody and those rounded up in subsequent arrests will be arraigned before a federal magistrate judge in the coming days. Your email address will not be published. Get FBI email alerts "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. Gioelli faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Western District of Arkansas | River Valley Group Sentenced To Over 206 JOHNSON COUNTY, Ark. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The three men were a part of fentanyl distribution rings that trafficked the drug in Central Arkansas. P.O. White County drug bust seizes 67 pounds, $3M worth of narcotics 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. 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Givens and Benecia Moore. Three other defendants were charged in stand-alone indictments, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District Arkansas. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Unfortunately, its getting to be the norm, Lane said. A lock ( Three more defendants, Quincy Martez Chambers, Deandreian Devonte Meadows, and Joseph Riggins, Jr., are charged separately in stand-alone indictments. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Arkansas, Methamphetamine, Firearms Recovered from North Little Rock Drug Ring, Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), "Operation Hartbreak Kid" Results in Thirteen 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. This investigation involved the seizure of various illegal drugs ranging from marijuana to fentanyl, along with several firearms. In addition to his active warrants, Hall was also charged with trafficking due to his possession of fentanyl. 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. More than five pounds of methamphetamine and six firearms were seized on . During Tuesdays arrests, officers recovered an additional AR-15 rifle. 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. The 80 individuals sought were charged with various federal firearms and drug trafficking charges. A third operation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), began in August 2021 when the North Little Rock Police Department identified street-level methamphetamine and fentanyl. WDAR Case No. This organization used the mail system to evade detection in order to facilitate their operation. 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. 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. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. 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. 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. During FBI wiretapped phone calls and text messages between Fordson and Fuller, Fordson negotiated the purchase and distribution of fentanyl from Fuller. 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. That indictment named an additional 18 defendants. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. He is charged with capital murder and is facing a possible death sentence if he is convicted. Jim Dawson, the special agent in charge of the local FBI office, said after Collins' death, the FBI banded together with investigative partners around the state to accelerate efforts to address the problem of violent crime in central Arkansas. Market data provided by Factset. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Staci Vandagriff). 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. Local authorities reported receiving citizen complaints about drug trafficking and gunshots at these locations. Below is the release, as written: 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 Sheriff's Department, Greene Agencies make large bust after mailed drugs intercepted Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. He adds the dedication of this deputy resulted in more than just drugs off the street it saved lives, potentially thousands. Another search warrant was then executed at the apartment in Marmaduke. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Collins and another officer were shot in the incident, and Collins died of his wounds at a local hospital. Arraignments held for 13 people charged in NLR-area drug bust During the stop, he asked to search the car and was given permission by the driver. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. The indictment was handed down by a Federal Grand Jury on . Authorities arrested 33-year-old Michael Hall for outstanding warrants. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The indictment charges 25 defendants in 62 separate counts. All rights reserved. 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. Bolen was taken to the Pulaski County jail where she is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. ARKANSAS, USA Arkansas authorities have completed a drug bust that resulted in more than $55 million in various drugs, 1,200 different arrests, and the recovery of hundreds of firearms.. 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. Main Office: 11 indicted in central Arkansas drug ring | KATV According to a release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Drug Enforcement Admiration arrested 13 people as part of Operation . Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Later on, agents retrieved two arrest warrants for Amber Smith and Tylor Clairday for trafficking a controlled substance. Eastern District of Arkansas | Gang Activity in White County Results in Immerse Arkansas to break ground for first-of-its-kind youth shelter, Police activate Silver Alert for missing North Little Rock woman, Your Arkansas weather forecast from THV11, Tornado recovery agencies in Arkansas move on to new areas, Seven Arkansas men arrested on fentanyl drug charges related to overdose death, Bryant school bus driver arrested, charged with DWI, 2 dead following pursuit with Arkansas State trooper in Memphis, TBI reports. Law enforcement discovered that the gangs were funding their violent activity primarily through the sale of large quantities of high-grade marijuana. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters and Amanda Fields with assistance from Cameron McCree. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. 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. As part of the operation on Tuesday more than 20 vehicles and more than $35,000 in drug proceeds from multiple bank accounts was seized. Nearly 50 pounds of meth seized by Little Rock police - KTHV Arkansas police arrest 22 people for alleged drug operation - KTHV Mexican cartels are marketing their drugs through social media: Former DEA special agent. Named after lead defendant Derrick Hart, 27, of North Little Rock, this operation targeted drug distribution in the North Little Rock area. Arkansas overdoses from drugs laced with fentanyl on the rise Of the 80 defendants indicted in the three investigations, 8 of those were already in custody when this mornings roundup began. Twenty-seven fugitives remain after Wednesdays arrests. 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.". LITTLE ROCKThree federal investigations culminated in 45 arrests this morning. At this time, agents located LSD, Kratom, marijuana, paraphernalia, MDMA (ecstasy), mushrooms, $2,449.00, five firearms, and cocaine. The investigation revealed drug trafficking and travel between Arkansas and Texas, California, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Law enforcement discovered that the gangs were funding their violent activity primarily through the sale of large quantities of high-grade marijuana. Example video title will go here for this video. Little Rock, AR 72203, Telephone:(501) 340-2600 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. In December 2020, the Drug Enforcement. This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at. Reports say that authorities made the arrest around 5:43 p.m. on Idaho Drive after they found Hall inside of a vehicle. 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. The FBI conducted their operations with assistance from 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. DEA agents arrest 13, seize drugs & gun in North Little Rock - KARK 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. 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. PressReader. of methamphetamine and around 24,000 pills of an unknown substance. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Eighteen individuals were indicted because of the DEAs investigation. DEA agents have seized $146,000 in cash, 10 firearms, 12 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, 600 pressed fentanyl pills, 10 pounds of marijuana, and nine ounces of cocaine. Thirteen people were arraigned in federal court Wednesday on drug distribution charges after being arrested Tuesday morning as part of what federal authorities dubbed "Operation Hartbreak Kid." The press release said Collins was assisting the FBI with intelligence pertaining to the criminal activity of the gangs, as well as surveillance, interviews and arrests of those involved in criminal activity in Pine Bluff. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Three more defendants, Quincy Martez Chambers, Deandreian Devonte Meadows, and Joseph Riggins, Jr., are charged separately in stand-alone indictments. Nearly 50 people arrested in Arkansas for federal drug, gun crimes - MSN Money laundering is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $500,000, and not more than three years supervised release. Official websites use .gov Lock The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anne Gardner. 15 people arrested in Little Rock-based drug trafficking bust Rapper Bankroll Freddie attends 1st Party of The Year at Gold Room on January 1, 2022 in Atlanta. - 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. DEA agents arrest 13, seize drugs & gun in North Little Rock - KARK Three men pleaded guilty in two separate fentanyl cases in federal court in Little Rock on Wednesday. Courtney Rhodes pleaded guilty to the distribution of a controlled substance, while the. A greater amount, in fact, a very large amount was found secreted around the vehicle, said Seiders, most of them inside of the structure of the vehicle itself.. 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. Operation Hartbreak Kid was conducted by the DEA with assistance from the USPIS, United States Marshals Service, Arkansas State Police, North Little Rock Police Department, Arkansas Community Corrections, Lonoke County Sheriffs Office, Lonoke Police Department, Little Rock Police Department, Pulaski County Sheriffs Office, and Jacksonville Police Department. Of the 80 defendants indicted on Wednesday, eight were in custody before the roundup began. 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. 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. Collins was killed in a shootout Oct. 5, 2020, while working an investigation at the Econo Lodge motel in Pine Bluff. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. 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." 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. Agents made contact with these two individuals at their apartment on 3rd Street in Marmaduke. Ellington, while in handcuffs, broke free from police and fled a short distance before being recaptured, the report said. "The most violent offenders, the most violent groups in the most violent places," Ross said, "these are our priorities.". Gladney was listed as a defendant in the indictment that was a result of the FBI focusing on the EBK gang, as was his father Freddie Gladney, Jr. According to a news report, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas said a grand jury indicted 19 . Little Rock agencies seize 'copious amounts' of meth, fentanyl - MSN HOUSTON RAPPER THE BREADMAN GETS 23 YEARS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING. "We won't stop until we have all of them in custody.". LITTLE ROCKThirteen people will appear in federal court today after being arrested Tuesday morning as part of Operation Hartbreak Kid. Named after lead defendant Derrick Hart, 27, of North Little Rock, this operation targeted drug distribution in the North Little Rock area. FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice, Christopher Lamont JONES, 41, Little Rock, Ladeitrick HAMPTON, 33, North Little Rock, Willie Joseph TYLER, JR., 37, Little Rock, Rodriques DAngelo DAVIS, 30, Little Rock, Christina Akins BREWSTER, 27, Little Rock. In recent weeks, Little Rock police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have teamed up in an effort to help combat violent crimes. Official websites use .gov ARKANSAS, USA Arkansas State Police (ASP) have arrested 22 people in connection to an alleged narcotics operation in St. Francis County. ARKANSAS The season of giving is here, and the Postal Service is putting out the call for kind-hearted, generous people across the country to sign [], An unfortunate accident happened Saturday evening in Jonesboro involving a patrol car and a civilian driver. (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. 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.
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