10 Charged for Multi-Year Cocaine Conspiracy
MADISON, Wis. – John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Drug Enforcement Administration-Wisconsin, and Timothy O'Shea, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that three indictments have been unsealed charging a total of 10 people with participating in a cocaine conspiracy. The indictments were returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison on Jan. 5, 2022.
The first indictment charges:
- Winfield Agee, 35, Chicago, Illinois;
- Darryl McDonald, 38, Chicago;
- Jason Hall, 36, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin;
- Nikia Cannon, 46, Chicago;
- Kiayla Alston, 28, Madison;
- Daniel Barlow, 34, Madison;
- Daren Jones, 27, Madison; and
- Larry Dotson, 40, Madison.
This indictment charges that from December 2014 to November 2020, Winfield Agee and Darryl McDonald conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The indictment also charges that from November 2010 to July 2020, Agee conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. If convicted, Agee and McDonald face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life on the cocaine conspiracy charge, and Agee faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the marijuana conspiracy. Agee was arrested in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2022 and his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day. McDonald was arrested in Indiana on Jan. 12, 2022. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne, Indiana occurred on Jan. 13, 2022.
The indictment also charges that from December 2018 to May 2020, Jason Hall conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The indictment alleges that the amount of cocaine attributable to Hall was 500 grams or more. In addition, the indictment charges Hall with five counts of distributing cocaine in April and May 2020, and with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on Feb.24, 2021. If convicted, Hall faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life on the cocaine conspiracy charge, and a maximum of 20 years on the other six charges. Hall was arrested in Madison on Jan. 13 and his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day.
The indictment charges that from December 2018 to May 2020, Nikia Cannon and Kiayla Alston conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Cannon was arrested in Chicago, Illinois on Jan. 13, 2022 and her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Chicago occurred on the same day. Alston was arrested in Madison on Jan.13, 2022 and her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day.
The indictment charges Daren Jones with three counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed cocaine for distribution on April 26, April 30, and May 6, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Jones was arrested in Madison on Jan. 13, 2022. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison is scheduled for today.
The indictment charges Daniel Barlow with two counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed cocaine for distribution on April 24 and May 5, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Barlow was already in custody on an unrelated matter. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
Finally, the indictment charges Larry Dotson with attempting to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute on Nov. 25, 2020. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Dotson was arrested in Madison on Jan. 12, 2022. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
The second indictment charges Shaneeque Parker, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on Nov. 25, 2020. If convicted, Parker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
The third indictment charges Brian Battle, 44, Jefferson, Wisconsin, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on April 25, 2021, he possessed cocaine for distribution and a firearm. If convicted, Battle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the cocaine charge and a maximum of 10 years on the gun charge. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
The charges against these individuals are the result of an investigation by the DEA; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Jefferson County Narcotics Task Force; Madison Police Department; and Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
