RUSSELLVILLE—Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Anthony Lemons, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), William McCrary, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), and David Gibbons, Prosecuting Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District of Arkansas, announced today the unsealing of a federal indictment charging 44 defendants in a major operation aimed at disrupting drug and gun crime in Pope and Yell Counties.
The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on October 3, 2017, and was unsealed today following a coordinated roundup of the charged defendants.
In total, including defendants charged in state courts, law enforcement obtained arrest warrants for 70 defendants associated with the case, and arrested 27 individuals early Wednesday morning. Eighteen federal and two state defendants were already in custody. Twenty-three defendants, including 11 federal fugitives and 12 state fugitives, remain at large.
During Wednesday morning’s arrest operation law enforcement also seized 46 guns, bringing the total number of firearms seized in the investigation to 69.
“Targeting violent, armed drug dealers will be a priority for my office, as well as for all law enforcement agencies in central Arkansas,” Hiland said. “Law enforcement at all levels is committed to working together to help rid these communities of drugs and those who are responsible for their distribution. Today’s operation is a perfect example of that coordination. Our collective goal is to return these communities to their law-abiding citizens, and taking these criminals off the streets has made Pope and Yell Counties safer places to live and work. Today’s arrests are a victory against these dangerous criminals, but know that our commitment to finding and stopping gun and drug crime all across the Eastern District of Arkansas will continue long after today.”
During the nearly two-year coordinated federal and state investigation, law enforcement agents made 59 controlled purchases of methamphetamine, seizing more than 25 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as the 69 firearms and more than $70,000 in drug proceeds.
Among the 44 federal defendants are nine people who are avowed white supremacists, including eight members of the New Aryan Empire (NAE) and one member of the White Aryan Resistance (WAR). The NAE slogan is “To The Dirt,” which is in reference to the rule that members must remain in the NAE until they die.
These groups are Arkansas white supremacist organizations, which began as prison gangs.
This Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, named “To The Dirt,” began in early 2016, when local law enforcement officials started investigating various crimes being committed by the NAE, including the distribution of methamphetamine. It soon became apparent that the methamphetamine trafficking in this area went far beyond only NAE members, and the Fifth Judicial District Drug Task Force enlisted the help of the DEA and ATF.
“The DEA is committed to working with our federal, state and local law
enforcement partners to target all levels of drug trafficking organizations that are
responsible for drug trafficking and related violence in our communities,” said Stephen
G. Azzam, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Orleans Field Division, which
includes the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Our neighborhoods deserve to exist without
fear and intimidation inflicted by all violent drug gangs, including the New Aryan Empire. Today’s arrests should significantly impact the violent drug related activity that
has wreaked havoc throughout the Eastern District of Arkansas.”
From January 2016 through October 2017 multiple agencies at the local, state, and
federal level coordinated dozens of controlled purchases of methamphetamine from
individuals associated with the NAE, as well as others distributing drugs in Russellville.
While more than 25 pounds of methamphetamine were actually seized in Arkansas, the
investigation revealed that hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine had been trafficked
from California for distribution in central Arkansas in the course of this conspiracy.
Arrest warrants have been issued for two of the main methamphetamine suppliers in
California, who lived in Sacramento and Los Angeles and remain fugitives at this time.
Early Wednesday morning 200 law enforcement officers, including more than 150
tactical officers, helped execute the arrest warrants for those defendants in Arkansas in a
targeted takedown that resulted in arrests on multiple charges, including conspiracy to
possess with intent to distribute and to distribute meth, distribution of methamphetamine,
use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a
firearm. Most of the defendants are residents of Pope County.
A majority of the 44 federal defendants are convicted felons, many with violent
histories. Among the 69 guns seized include handguns, rifles, shotguns, and several high capacity assault-style rifles.
“This almost two-year collaborative effort between ATF, DEA, U.S. Postal
Inspectors, Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway
Police, Russellville Police Department, 5th Judicial Drug Task Force, and other state and
local law enforcement partners is a shining example of ATF’s commitment to reducing
violence in our communities,” ATF Asst. Special Agent in Charge McCrary. “The armed
drug trafficking conspiracy dismantled today was a plague on Russellville and the
surrounding communities, and the prosecution and incarceration of its leaders and
participants will make these communities safer.”
“The present operation is just the latest example of the long history of successful
cooperation between federal agencies and the state, county, local, and DTF law
enforcement personnel of the Fifth District,” said Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting
Attorney David Gibbons said. “From the criminal histories of most of those arrested
during this operation, it is clear that in some cases state prosecution alone does not have
the resources or reach to eliminate those who make a living from drug distribution. This
operation will subject those individuals who have made a career of criminal activity to
federal prosecution and prison time. As a result, our communities should be safer,
healthier, and more pleasant places in which to raise our families.”
In addition to the methamphetamine and firearms recovered, during the
investigation agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Conway Police
Department seized approximately $65,000 from this drug trafficking organization, which
conspirators attempted to ship through the U.S. mail from Arkansas to California for
payment for methamphetamine. All told, agents seized more than $70,000 in drug
proceeds, as well as a Porsche Carrera seized in California that was used to aid
methamphetamine distribution in California.
Those arrested today will be arraigned in federal court in Little Rock before
United States Magistrate Judge Patricia S. Harris beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and ATF, in partnership with the Pope
County Sheriff’s Office, Yell County Sheriff’s Office, Fifth Judicial District Drug Task
Force, Russellville Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Conway Police
Department, and United States Postal Inspection Service.
Wednesday’s arrest operation included the assistance of DEA, ATF, U.S. Postal
Inspection Service, United States Marshal’s Service, Arkansas Highway Police, Arkansas
National Guard Counter Drug Unit, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Community
Corrections, Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Yell County Sheriff’s Office, Fifth Judicial
Drug Task Force, and the Russellville Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys, Liza Jane
Brown and Kristin Bryant. An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The list of the defendants is as follows:
1. TROY R. LOADHOLT, aka Tricky, 36, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
2. DAVID D. SINGLETON, aka LA, 35, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
3. DARLENE WALKER, 60, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
4. WESLEY S. GULLETT, 28, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of methamphetamine
5. MICHAEL J. ROBERTS, 34, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
6. SHELBY L. THOMPSON, aka Shelby Roberts, 24, Dover
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
7. COREY A. FORD, 25, Pottsville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
8. CORY S. DONNELLY, 30, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
9. LESA A. STANDRIDGE, 53, Dover
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
• Felon in possession of a firearm
10. DALLAS D. STANDRIDGE, 43, Dover
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
11. JEFFREY G. HOWELL, aka Loon, 33, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
12. RICHARD K. HAMPTON, 39, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
13. SUSAN HAMPTON, 34, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
14. APRIL M. TEETER, aka April Crain, 37, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of methamphetamine
15. MELISSA D. KIZER, aka Mel, 38, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
16. ANDREW R. SYVERSON, aka Drew, 31, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
17. ROBERT S. CHANDLER, aka Robbie, 38, Dover
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
18. BRITTANY FERGUSON, aka Brittany Gideon, 26, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
19. SHANNON J. FERGUSON, aka Shannon Pridmore, 40, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
20. BRITTANIE N. HANDLEY, 23, Atkins
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of methamphetamine
21. APRIL HOWELL, aka Apes, 28, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
22. TIFFANY L. PARKER, 38, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
23. HEATH KIZER, 34, Atkins
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
24. RALPH A. ROSS, aka R.A., 53, Atkins
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
25. BRITANNY S. CONNER, 32, San Pedro, California
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
26. KATHRINE R. ROSS, aka Katie, 26, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
27. JEFFREY L. KNOX, 42, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
28. CHRISTOPHER S. HELMS, 34, Dardanelle
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Felon in possession of a firearm
29. TONY L. HEYDENREICH, 40, Deer
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
30. VALERIE J. BAKER, 46, Fort Smith
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of methamphetamine
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
31. THOMAS I. PLAISANCE JR., aka Tommy, 41, Dover
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
32. PAULA S. ENOS, 44, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
33. WESLEY W. PIERSON, 53, Charleston
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
34. HENRI T. KEENER II, 42, Danville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
35. JUSTIN B. HOWELL, 31, Sacramento, California
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
36. JAYME L. SHORT, 25, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
37. DANIEL ADAME, aka Punky, 31, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
38. SKIPPY D. SANDERS, 34, London
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
39. THOMAS J. FERGUSON, aka T.J., 35, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
40. KEVIN M. LONG, 22, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Felon in possession of a firearm
41. JARED R. DALE, 28, Russellville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of methamphetamine
42. JAMES NICHOLAS GEORGE, aka Nick, 37, Dardanelle
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
43. KEITH C. SAVAGE, aka K.C., 36, Belleville
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
44. JOSEPH D. PRIDMORE, 31, Dover
• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Distribution of methamphetamine
How many miles onthe Carrera? How much will you take for it? Can we put it in the “witness protection program” (ie: change the vin) so they can’t track it down?