United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the distribution of fentanyl. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial of Claude Dukes, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl pills in the Western District of Arkansas from November 2022 to June 2023. Evidence presented at trial showed that Claude Dukes, Jr., of Newport, Arkansas, was identified as the source of supply for fentanyl being distributed by co-conspirator, Justin Ellis.  Dukes was found to be responsible for over 400 grams of fentanyl distributed in the conspiracy through his own conduct and the conduct of co-conspirators. Co-conspirators Justin Ellis and Derrick Bradley pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl in Northwest Arkansas for their respective roles in the offense. The pills distributed by this group contained fentanyl made or pressed to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills. 

“This case is an example of the outstanding results that are possible when dedicated law enforcement officers and agencies work together to dismantle drug trafficking operations,” said David Clay Fowlkes, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. “We are so proud to partner with our federal, local, and state law enforcement agencies to address this deadly controlled substance.  Fentanyl continues to be an extreme danger to our communities in Western Arkansas.  This drug trafficking operation was responsible for distributing significant amounts of this deadly substance in Western Arkansas.  This sentence reflects the serious nature of their crimes and should send a strong message to others who would seek to smuggle and distribute fentanyl in Western Arkansas.”

Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:

Claude Dukes, Jr.: age 42, Newport, Arkansas – Conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl– 300 months imprisonment and 5-year term of supervised release. Dukes’ sentence was subject to enhanced penalties due to his status as a career offender. 

Justin Alexander Ellis: age 36, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl – 172 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release. Ellis’ sentence was subject to enhanced penalties due to his status as a career offender.

Derrick Scott Bradley: age 43, Rogers, Arkansas – Distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl – 96 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration in Fayetteville investigated the case with assistance by the following agencies:  Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force, Benton County Drug Unit, Benton County Sheriff’s Department, Bentonville Police Department, Rogers Police Department, and the Newport Police Department.   

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydney Butler Stanley, Kevin Eaton, and Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the United States. 

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.