News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, Chicago News Releases, 06/22/07

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2007
Contact: Joanna Zoltay
Number: 312-886-259

Cocaine Organization Dismantled in Indiana
36 Indicted On Drug Trafficking Charges

JUN 22 --(Indianapolis, IN) – A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Indiana indicted thirty-six individuals in eight separate indictments for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. On the morning of June 21, 2007, over 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel executed 19 federal search warrants at locations in Indianapolis, Fishers, and Poland, Indiana. Eighteen individuals are in federal custody, while 16 remain fugitives. Of the 18 in custody, 5 defendants are in state custody for unrelated charges and are awaiting removal to federal court.

The indictments were the result of a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) that targeted and dismantled a drug trafficking organization which operated primarily in Indianapolis, Indiana. U.S. Attorney Susan W. Brooks commended the drug law enforcement partnership with Indiana Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal anti-gun initiative, which provided significant funding for the investigation. Agencies involved in the investigation included: DEA, FBI, US Marshal Service, ATF, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Beech Grove Police Department, the Metro Drug Task Force, and the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Indiana.

“Indianapolis is a safer place today because 18 drug traffickers have been brought to justice,” said Dennis Wichern, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration. “As we have done in the past, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to seek out, investigate and bring to an end illegal drug activities in our Indianapolis communities.”

The indictments allege that an investigation which began in October of 2006, and continued until June of 2007, revealed a number of cocaine distribution organizations operating in the Indianapolis area. It also alleges that the drug organization distributed large amounts of cocaine from California to the Indianapolis area.

Count One of the indictment charged the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine:

Devon Brown, a/k/a “May May”, 25, Indianapolis
Terry Brown, a/k/a “Little Pookie”, 21, Indianapolis

The indictment alleges that DEVON BROWN organized the distribution of cocaine base, or “crack” to various customers in the Indianapolis area. TERRY BROWN is charged with assisting DEVON BROWN by distributing the crack to various individuals.

Count Two charged the following individuals with conspiracy to possess and distribution of cocaine:

James L. Carter, Jr., a/k/a “Boogie”, 22, Indianapolis
Jeffrey Carter, a/k/a/ “Bra Bra”, a/k/a “Jeffrey”, 22, Indianapolis
Cory Carter, a/k/a “Dew Wap”, 22, Indianapolis

The indictment charges JAMES L. CARTER, JR., a/k/a “Boogie”, organized the distribution of crack to various customers. JEFFREY CARTER, a/k/a “Bra Bra”, a/k/a “Jeffrey” is charged with assisting with the conspiracy to possess and distribution of cocaine. CORY CARTER, a/k/a “Dew Wap”, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of crack.

Count Three charges FAREN CARTER, a/k/a “Nephew”, 22, Indianapolis, with two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of crack. CARTER is facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $4 million dollar fine and at least 5 years of supervised release.

Count Four charges the following individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine:

Duane Sturdivant, a/k/a “Black”, 22, Indianapolis
Kenneth Sturdivant
Devan Pierson, a/k/a “Bootsie”, 25, Indianapolis
Emmanuel Oliver, a/k/a “BJ”, 37, Indianapolis,

DUANE STURDIVANT and DEVAN PIERSON are charged with obtaining quantities of cocaine from various sources in the Indianapolis area. KENNETH STURDIVANT is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack and with assisting in the storing and distribution of the cocaine. EMMANUEL OLIVER is also charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of crack. In addition, DUANE STURDIVANT was charged with one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of drug trafficking.

Count Five of the Indictment charges the following individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute various quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, and distribution of cocaine:

Lawrence Brookins, a/k/a/ “Duke”, 31, Indianapolis
Kemu Sanders, a/k/a “Mu”, 27, Indianapolis
Khodrow McDaniel, a/k/a “Padro”, 25, Indianapolis,
Herman Mooney, a/k/a “E”, 40, Indianapolis

All face a maximum penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $4 million dollar fine, and at least 5 years supervised release.

The indictment alleges LAWRENCE BROOKINS and KEMU SANDERS conspired to obtain various quantities of powder cocaine from various sources in the Indianapolis area, including EMORY YOUNG (charged in Count 6). BROOKINS and SANDERS are charged with cooking the powder cocaine into crack for distribution. KHODROW McDANIEL was charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine and/or crack.

HERMAN MOONEY is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of the crack.

Count Six of the Indictment charges the following individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine:

Emory Young, a/k/a “Horse”, a/k/a “Unc”, a/k/a “ Horsehead”, 37, Poland, IN
Gary Owsley, a/k/a “Buji”, a/k/a “Bosco”, 39, Indianapolis (also charged in Count 8)
Damon Young, 30, Indianapolis
Howard Owens, a/k/a “H”, a/k/a/ “Big H”, 33, Indianapolis
Vincent Williams, a/k/a “Vino”, 38, Indianapolis
Eric Gude, a/k/a “Juice”, 37, Indianapolis
James Pope, 24, Indianapolis
Derrick Bailey, a/k/a “Big Mo”, 23, Indianapolis
Michael Davis, 43, Indianapolis

The indictment alleges that throughout the course of the conspiracy EMORY YOUNG acted as the leader and organizer of a cocaine distribution organization. YOUNG received cocaine and enlisted GARY OWSLEY and DAMON YOUNG in distributing the cocaine and collecting payment for the cocaine. HOWARD OWENS, VINCENT WILLIAMS, ERIC GUDE, JAMES POPE, DERRICK BAILEY, and MICHAEL DAVIS are charged with receiving the cocaine for redistribution.

Count Seven of the indictment charged the following individuals with possession with intent to distribute of 5 or more kilograms or more of cocaine:

Paula Rush, 28, Greenwood
Lloyd Fuentes, a/k/a/ “Lee”, 40, Indianapolis
Deshawn Jefferson, 30, Indianapolis
Christopher Hendren, 28, Indianapolis
Roger Richardson, 29, Indianapolis
Otis Matlock, 24, Indianapolis
Tiffany Nichols, 32, Indianapolis

This indictment alleges that PAULA RUSH and LLOYD FUENTES received multiple kilogram quantities of cocaine from California and, in turn, shipped proceeds from the distribution of that cocaine to California. The shipments and monies were made in nominee names and addresses. DESHAWN JEFFERSON, CHRISTOPHER, HENDREN, and ROGER RICHARDSON are charged with receiving the cocaine on credit for subsequent distribution in Indianapolis. OTIS MATLOCK and TIFFANY NICHOLS are charged with assisting in the receipt of packages of cocaine and the shipment and/or receipt of monies in the Indianapolis area.

Count eight of the indictment charged the following individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of five kilograms or more of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute various quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, and distribution of cocaine:

Shawn Young, a/k/a/ “Six”, a/k/a “Tall Man”, a/k/a “Sampson”, 40, Fishers
Gary Owsley, a/k/a/ “Buji”, a/k/a “Bosco” (also charged in #6), 39, Indianapolis
John Doe a/k/a “Youngster”, a/k/a “Fort Wayne”

Also charged in the this indictment for possession with intent to distribute of 500 grams or more of cocaine were:

Shawn Young, a/k/a/ “Six”, a/k/a “Tall Man”, a/k/a “Sampson”
Gary Owsley, a/k/a/ “Buji”, a/k/a “Bosco”
John Doe a/k/a “Youngster”, a/k/a “Fort Wayne”
James Anthony Owsley, a/k/a “Hustle”, a/k/a “Marble”, a/k/a “Tony”, 41, Indianapolis
Shawn Phillips a/k/a “Shiney”, a/k/a “Shiney Face”, 32, Indianapolis
Antwian Coleman a/k/a “Twan”, 26, Indianapolis
Willie A. Mitchell a/k/a “Lil Will”, 37, Indianapolis

The indictment alleges that SHAWN YOUNG served as the leader and organizer of a cocaine distribution organization operating in the Southern District of Indiana. YOUNG is charged with utilizing the services of GARY OWSLEY and JAMES ANTHONY OWSLEY in the distribution of the cocaine. SHAWN PHILLIPS and ANTWIAN COLEMAN are charged with receipt of the cocaine.

The indictments are allegations only, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial or by guilty plea.