}); An Owensboro Drug Trafficking Organization is behind bars and charged with multiple felonies after being caught with 151 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pills with suspected fentanyl, and other drugs, U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced on Tuesday. All Rights Reserved. Kansas City Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy. Amber Lynn Stepp, 28, and a maleacquaintance drove to a Louisville home on a sunny day May 9, 2016as men tended the grill during a birthday celebration. Police officials blamed the violent drug trade for a jarring spike inhomicides and an overdoserate that averagednearly a death a day. The FBI said it will continue to focus on taking whole groups off the street at once, target drugs, guns, and other violent crimes. All five suspect face up to life in prison if convicted. The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force consists of investigators from Louisville Metro Police Department, Nelson County Sheriffs Office, Bullitt County Sheriffs Office, and FBI Louisville. A Joplin and Webb City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. He quit his job in 2016andopted to be a stay-at-home dad to his newborn son while his wife, who worked for L'Oreal cosmetics, supported the family. OWENSBORO, Ky. Fifteen defendants involved in an Owensboro based Drug Trafficking Organization have been charged by a federal Grand Jury for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, among other charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. The operation was a yearlong effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies members from which are part of a gang force that for the last year has shifted its focus to target groups that perpetuate violence in the city. Brett A. If convicted, the charges carry no less than a mandatory 10 years in federal prison. He refused to send her money and cautioned: "You need to lay low. After all the damage they levied personally or indirectly, Jose Prieto and his son quietly surrendered to police outside their West Coast homeson Aug. 13,2019. Derrick Lamont Bullitt, 37, of Louisville, Kentucky, has been charged with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to. Violent crime is a well-known byproduct of the illicit drug trade. } Sheworried she now owed the drug-ring money after police intercepted the meth and money, according to court records. He didn't know Louisville police had intercepted the package, mailed through a private parcel service, and watched as Goodman picked it up from a porch in Buechel, then drove off in his white Chevy pickup truck. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Metro Corrections Officers made a large drug bust while doing a home incarceration, or HIP check, which yielded drugs, guns and thousands of dollars in cash. DEA commends the outstanding work by the United States Attorneys Office, Western District of Kentucky, the Daviess County Commonwealths Attorneys Office, and all the agencies who participated in this multi-jurisdictional investigation., These violent organizations use every means to push their drugs and criminal activities into communities both large and small, stated ATF Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Field Division. It's all Krista and Nevada Gwynn wantfor theirchildren. Three arrested after drug bust - KAIT (KAIT) - A multi-agency drug investigation into drug trafficking uncovered a . Both are equally committed to ridding our community of the scourge of organized drug trafficking and keeping our citizens safe., Brothers, including one from Muhlenberg County, have been arrested in the murder of a 21-year-old woman over 10 years ago. If convicted, the charges carry no less than a mandatory 10 years in federal prison. Bench exodus: Louisville judge known for his bowties and odd humor to retire. We are not taking to the street and demanding an impact to lower those (shootings)," he said. ", FBI Louisville is committed to helping reduce the unacceptable level of violence that is plaguing our city. I take her to the store. Copyright 2021 WAVE 3 News. "The charges set forth in the indictment are the result of the ongoing work of LMPD and the strong working relationships it maintains with our federal law enforcement agencies, acting U.S. Attorney MichaelBennett said in the release. More than $3 million in cash, drugs seized in large-scale bust As part of the investigation, police found a stolen vehicle, over $160,000 in cash, one kilogram of cocaine, meth and multiple firearms. Louisville, KY 40202, Louisville: (502) 582-5911 A prior conviction could mean a sentence from 10 years to life in prison and no less than eight years of supervised release. Reach her at 502-582-4469; kkachmar@courierjournal.com or @NewsQuip on Twitter. Western District of Kentucky Check out:Crime novelist, veteran agentin charge of DEA Louisville Field Division. Jose Prieto sought out someone with a strong business background to help him earn money to pay off the cartel. An official website of the United States government. According to the federal Indictment, members of the Drug Trafficking Operation, as early as 2016 and continuing through January 13, 2021, conspired with each other and others to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. January 20, 2021 State News An Owensboro Drug Trafficking Organization is behind bars and charged with multiple felonies after being caught with 151 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pills with suspected fentanyl, and other drugs, U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced on Tuesday. The bust is part of an ongoing investigation with the DEA. And in a room near the garage, they found a man, also with a . District 03 - Bowling green, Warren County. The HIP Officers were checking the home of Marvin Thomas, 23, on Bessels Blvd. Her body was found July 5, 2018, on the floor of her casino hotel room with a gunshot to the head. HBO host Bill Maher argued that the "dissenters" during COVID have been vindicated following recent revelations that show they were right on various policies. LOUISVILLE,Ky. As Louisville Metro Police Detective Darrell Hyche stepped toward a white pickup truck to make a traffic stop, a gunman fired bullets into his face and head. A "long-term investigation" yielded 15 pounds of marijuana, 998 edible marijuana packages, 173 packaged marijuana blunts, three handguns and a "large sum" of cash, according to a social media post. If convicted, the charge carries no less than a mandatory 10 years in federal prison. "But it'spart of the strategy. Jack Page, 24, and Kendrick Flintroy, 25, both of Louisville, were . executed a. As an adult, Jose Prieto settled in the Californiatown of Apple Valley, known for its fruit orchards. Police said the large drug bust was just one of. }); //WD-2023 When Greenhill's tab climbed to $400,000, Jose Prieto cut him off. MORRIS STEPHENSON Staff Writer. The case involving the four Louisville men is part of the DOJ's Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that the department says is meant "to reduce violent crime in the places we call home, not to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions as if they were ends in themselves.". But a series of betrayals were coming, dooming the father and son's joint enterprise. His sonis serving a sentence of seven years and three months. According to court records, Insixiengmay was a main fentanyl distributor for a large drug trafficking organization with SAN DIEGO - Today, the U.S. Attorneys Office unsealed a complaint charging San Diego resident, Edgar Lopez Feliciano, with maintaining a steroid distribution center in Spring Valley. 492406 / 314625. if (count_closing <= 0) { jQuery("#aws_ec_insertEC_alertIMG_0").show(); She, Nissan is recalling over 700,000 Rogue and Rogue Sport compact SUVs because they may turn off accidentally while driving. The mother and father of five lost their son, 19-year-old Christian Gwynn, to a gunshot wound while he was walking home from getting a bite to eat in December. Gwynnsaid her 18-year-old daughter, Victoria, is terrified to leave the house. February 28, 2023. Massive drug sting: 800 arrested, 2 tons of meth, 8 tons of - KKTV Mr. Poiles has also been charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine for events occurring on or about December 11, 2020. Investigators say they're members or associates of the "local drug trafficking organization and street gang"called "Everybody Shines Together.". Additionally, according to the criminal complaints, on January 13, 2021, federal and local law enforcement executed multiple search warrants at locations associated with the Watkins drug trafficking organization in Owensboro. Courtney Willis, 26, a Greenhill drug ring associate, allegedly stole meth from the organization and returned to his home state of Michiganto visit family in Muskegon Heights, a three-hour drive northwest of Detroit near Lake Michigan. DEA agents led the three-year investigation anddubbed it "Operation Triple Crown," the pinnacle of thoroughbred racing, as they worked to track the pipeline's origins fromLouisville and Detroitback to the father-and-sonsuppliers in California. Metro Corrections HIP Officers conducting a home check used their training and experience to know when to alert law enforcement. We are stronger together. Thomas was charged with trafficking, six counts of possession of a firearms by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her passenger hopped out of the car, walked around and leaned in to talk to her from the driver's side window. Main Office: Louisville police seized a stash of fentanyl large enough to kill over 4 million people. WAVE Weather Now Syncbak Channel Embed for PBE Page, LG&E gives power outage update for Fridays severe weather, Gov. A trusted shipper would then deliver the drugs and the Prietoassociate would leave the hotel with the drug payment. If convicted, the charges carry no less than a mandatory 10 years in federal prison. Stepp later told police the three had flown on one-way tickets to Phoenix to buy meth and possibly heroin to bring back to Louisville, according to an investigatory letter in Kentucky court records. Keith Watkins has also been charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl for events occurring between on or about January 12, 2021, and January 13, 2021. LOUISVILLE, Ky. ( FOX 56) - A partnership between Louisville Metro Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency led to the execution of another large drug bust on Monday. I commend the DEA for spearheading the criminal investigation into this activity as well as our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners both here in the Commonwealth and from across the U.S. - who assisted in the effort., DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Michael Gannon said, Operation Reapin Benefits in support of DEAs Operation Crystal Shield, was a perfect example of how local, federal and state law enforcement partners collaborated at the highest possible levels and crushed a violent drug trafficking organization operating out of Owensboro, Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky, Orange County, California, Phoenix, Arizona and ultimately Mexico., During the course of this investigation the fine men and women of the Owensboro Police Department, the Daviess County Sheriffs Office members of the DEA Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) River City Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives conducted ten judicially authorized federal write-taps on members of this Owensboro based drug trafficking organization which to date has resulted in the seizure of (238) pounds of methamphetamine, (81) pounds of marijuana, (4.5) pounds of fentanyl pills, (20) ounces of cocaine, (23) firearms including assault rifles with high capacity magazines, $350,000 USC, (6) vehicles, and the arrest of 28 individuals on federal/state drug charges. The newsroom's investigation revealed the drug ring's links totheshooting of Detective Hyche,the killing of a 28-year-old mother and a 27-year-old man in Louisville, themurderof a man inDetroitand the mysterious death of a woman in a casino in Tunica, Mississippi. Lock LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The last of 26 defendants charged in the largest Jefferson County, Kentucky drug trafficking organization was sentenced in United States District Court this week, by Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson III, for his role in the distribution of cocaine, brought into the United States through a Mexican drug cartel, to metro Louisville for distribution, announced David J. Hale . You have permission to edit this article. Updated: 7:58 PM EDT March 14, 2022 LOUISVILLE, Ky. Police have seized a massive amount of drugs and cash that led to a Bardstown man's arrest over the weekend. "And it's infuriating to talk to victims' families (because) there has not been that focus locally.". One of the bullets was found inside of the home after it struck the victims refrigerator. Feds arrest five suspects, seize 150lbs of meth, $325k in cash, in Greenhill sent an associate to live with Jose Prieto for six months, working in the marijuana fields and gambling together in Las Vegas. CLAY COUNTY, Fla. The Clay County Sheriff's Office said Thursday 44 people are behind bars following a massive drug bust. An official website of the United States government. Washington has one of the biggest homeless populations in the nation. Crime - WKYT Published: Jun. Agents who monitored Jose Prieto's movements and phonesay Pack became entwined in a romantic relationship with him. Joan E. Johnson, of Owensboro, Kentucky, has been charged with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. In January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with her leadership team . These arrests should send a loud and clear message to violent criminals that the FBI Safe Streets Task Force will deploy its collective strength to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods, said Acting Special Agent in Edward J. He was given a $20,000 bond and placed on HIP. Five of the defendants face additional firearms and trafficking charges. Three arrested after drug bust. Two months after Bowman's slaying, the drug ring wassuspected of a revenge killing in Detroit. A traffic stop earlier this month led deputies to confiscate 20 pounds of methamphetamines. An indictment is an allegation, and two of the defendants had private attorneys listed in online court records while the others were appointed a public defender or awaiting the appointment of an attorney. "There's a large, broad message we havefor victims and survivors. 21 defendants charged, additional charges added to heroin/fentanyl LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Ten Louisville residents have been charged as part of a bust targeting a Louisville drug trafficking organization, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. With Goodman in jail,Laura Dawn Pack, 36,stepped in to pickup drug shipments for the organization. a gunman fired bullets into his face and head, A ruthless Mexican drug lords empire is devastating families with its grip on small-town USA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He said the FBI in the last year has beefed up its criminal enterprise efforts including bringing in new agents as part of its effort to tackle violent crime. Advertisement Court documents. ", Related:How can city slow its rampant gun violence? NELSON COUNTY, Ky. Police in Nelson County are investigating what they called an attempted murder-suicide. Investigators caught her with sevenpounds of meth and more than $44,000 in drug proceeds. Partygoers scrambled in another direction toward an alley. Monday when they smelled the odor of marijuana. Thomas was charged with four counts of wanton endangerment. Violence is what makes a gang legitimate, and what theyre describing here, the narcotics, that funds the mission of violence, said LMPD Chief Erika Shields. Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 10:59 PM EST | By WKYT News Staff. They also admitted tomoney laundering due to the evidence unearthed by the DEA andInternal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation.