He said the arrests on Wednesday began at 6 a.m. as officers fanned out looking for more than 60 defendants named in the two FBI indictments. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Officers stopped a vehicle driven by Jayuian Ellington, 44, of North Little Rock for having defective equipment and smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, the report said. Reports say that authorities made the arrest around 5:43 p.m. on Idaho Drive after they found Hall inside of a vehicle. With this investigation, DEA, working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, has taken down a drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing significant amounts of these illegal dangerous drugs into Arkansas through the U.S. This operation, named after lead defendant Derrick Hart, 27, of North Little Rock, targeted drug distribution in the North Little Rock area. The DEA's investigation found drugs were mailed from California into Arkansas in shipments that included kilogram-quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pills, according. LITTLE ROCKA federal jury convicted a Little Rock man who distributed the fentanyl that resulted in a person's overdose death in early 2021. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Givens and Benecia Moore. The Brewster DTO was based out of Brewsters Used Auto and Detail shop on Forbing Road in southwest Little Rock. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Along with trafficking, Hall was additionally charged with simultaneous possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with purpose. Detectives arrested Krystal Bolen, 37, the report said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Market data provided by Factset. Three defendants are named in multiple indictments. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The last couple of years weve seen larger and larger amounts.. In addition to his active warrants, Hall was also charged with trafficking due to his possession of fentanyl. Dubbed Operation Candyland, this investigation by the FBI, Arkansas Eastern District of Arkansas WDAR Case No. White County drug bust seizes 67 pounds, $3M worth of narcotics Additional support was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Joint Task Force; and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. In addition to those arrested on Tuesday, seven others have been charged and arrested in separate indictments in connection with this operation. Police lights are shown in this file photo. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Named after lead defendant Derrick Hart, 27, of North Little Rock, this operation targeted drug distribution in the North Little Rock area. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Little Rock District Office conducted their operation with assistance from DEA Riverside, California District Office; USPIS; North Little Rock Police Department; Sherwood Police Department; and Benton Police Department. Three federal investigations focused on the drug and firearm pipeline in Arkansas came to a head on Wednesday morning when 80 indictments were unsealed and 45 arrests were made, which included. The maximum penalty for being a felon or an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm is 10 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The units investigations and operations are coordinated out of FBI Little Rocks field office, and GETROCK continues to serve as the clearinghouse for gang-related law enforcement activity in Central Arkansas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Report: Armed suspects enter residence, assault, and steal from woman, Suspect arrested after allegedly choking, threatening victim with knife, First-Ever LOTTO Jackpot Hit for $2.338 Million, A-State Spring Commencement has Approximately 2,100 Candidates, Greene County deputies injured during arrest, Registration to Adopt USPS Operation Santa Letters is Available, Officer wrecks patrol car in front of police station, Underwater robot competition coming to Arkansas, $200,000 bond set for kidnapping, robbery suspect, West Memphis Three still seek justice 11 years after their release from prison, Burglars clean out north Jonesboro residence, report says. Collins and another officer were shot in the incident, and Collins died of his wounds at a local hospital. Kevin Collins, who was shot to death Oct. 5, 2020 as he attempted to serve an arrest warrant on a known member of the EBK street gang. Rapper Bankroll Freddie attends his Birthday Party at Onyx Nightclub on April 7, 2021 in Atlanta. A third operation, this one led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), began in August 2021 when DEA and the North Little Rock Police Department identified street-level methamphetamine and fentanyl dealers in central Arkansas who were connected to the same source of supply. After the delivery, agents executed a search warrant into the Rector home to retrieve the package and arrested Jacob Smith, who accepted the package from undercover DTF agents. A lock ( News of Gladney's arrest was reported by TMZ on Wednesday afternoon. One out of every six of these pills on the average contains a lethal dose, Lane said, referring to fentanyl. He is charged with capital murder and is facing a possible death sentence if he is convicted. The investigations focused on rival gangs responsible for violence throughout central Arkansas, with one operation focused on the EBK or Every Body Killas gang and resulting in the indictment of 35 defendants. Rawls, 50, of Benton, was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Possession with the intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $1,000,000, and not less than three years supervised release. "When my alarm went off at 3:15 this morning," Harper said,"Detective Collins' spirit was with not just me, but the entire team, the investigative team, the arrest team and the prosecutorial team.". The second investigation focused on the Loady Murder Mobb gang and resulted in the indictment of 26 defendants. 80 individuals indicted between Pine Bluff, Little Rock for drugs U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Arkansas, Methamphetamine, Firearms Recovered from North Little Rock Drug Ring, Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), "Operation Hartbreak Kid" Results in Thirteen Arrests, 35 Years In Federal Prison for Convicted Cocaine Trafficker, Operation "Candyland" Leads to Multiple Drug Arrests in Marianna and Forrest City, Little Rock Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl That Resulted in Death. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS LITTLE ROCKThree federal investigations culminated in 45 arrests this morning. Fordson, also a part of the Fuller fentanyl distribution ring, agreed with Fuller and others in 2018 to "distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.". That indictment named an additional 18 defendants. Eastern District of Arkansas | Gang Activity in White County Results in Hobbs said the announcement of Wednesday's arrests was particularly meaningful to both him and Collins' mother because of the credit Collins received from federal authorities for the part he played in the investigations. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. During the "controlled buy," Rhodes asked the confidential source, "What you got?" Arkansas overdoses from drugs laced with fentanyl on the rise Authorities took Hall to the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility where he's currently being held without bond until he appears in North Little Rock Court on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Eighteen individuals were indicted because of the DEAs investigation. During FBI wiretapped phone calls and text messages between Fordson and Fuller, Fordson negotiated the purchase and distribution of fentanyl from Fuller. A greater amount, in fact, a very large amount was found secreted around the vehicle, said Seiders, most of them inside of the structure of the vehicle itself.. Eight plead not guilty in federal, state drug bust in Jonesboro - KAIT "The most violent offenders, the most violent groups in the most violent places," Ross said, "these are our priorities.". Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A search found methamphetamine, cocaine, Ecstasy, marijuana and a digital scale, according to the report. DEA agents arrest 13, seize drugs & gun in North Little Rock - KARK Little Rock agencies seize 'copious amounts' of meth, fentanyl - MSN Lane said last fiscal year, the total dollar amount of seized drugs from task force members was around $79 million. According to the indictment, Freddie Gladney III and the 34 other individuals allegedly knowingly and intentionally distributed and possessed cocaine, crack-cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. (Prince Williams/Wireimage). Authorities also seized four firearms including an AR-style pistol, 2 ounces of cocaine, 1 ounce of crack-cocaine and $30,000 on Wednesday morning. The indictment was handed down by a Federal Grand Jury on September 11, 2014. Authorities arrested Michael Hall and during the arrest police found nearly two handguns, digital scales, suboxone, marijuana, and nearly 2-lbs of fentanyl in his possession that's valued at roughly $175,520 according to reports. Eastern District of Arkansas | Two Drug Conspiracies Land Little Rock Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. JOHNSON COUNTY, Ark. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. The investigation revealed drug trafficking and travel between Arkansas and Texas, California, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. The DEA Little Rock Office was assisted by the DEA Riverside, California office, United States Postal Inspection Service, North Little Rock Police Department, Sherwood Police Department and Benton Police Department. As part of the operation on Tuesday more than 20 vehicles and more than $35,000 in drug proceeds from multiple bank accounts was seized. An official website of the United States government. Both Clairday and Smith were booked into the Greene County Detention Center on trafficking a controlled substance, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several charges of possession of controlled substances with purpose to deliver. Eastern District of Arkansas | Central Arkansas Drug Organization Javier Rodela and Alejandro Flores of El Paso Texas were charged with trafficking a controlled substance and are being held in the White County Detention Center on $400,000 bonds. P.O. "Kevin really worked hard at his job and being a police officer," Hobbs said. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Dubbed Operation Candyland, this investigation by the FBI, Arkansas Eastern District of Arkansas As part of the operation on Tuesday more than 20 vehicles and more than $35,000 in drug proceeds from multiple bank accounts was seized. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. "Operation Hartbreak Kid" Results in Thirteen Arrests Lock Gladney was listed as a defendant in the indictment that was a result of the FBI focusing on the EBK gang, as was his father Freddie Gladney, Jr. J. Volpe later. FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice, Christopher Lamont JONES, 41, Little Rock, Ladeitrick HAMPTON, 33, North Little Rock, Willie Joseph TYLER, JR., 37, Little Rock, Rodriques DAngelo DAVIS, 30, Little Rock, Christina Akins BREWSTER, 27, Little Rock. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms but less than 100 kilograms of marijuana is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $1,000,000, and not less than three years supervised release. We greatly appreciate the FBI and their continued support for this critical mission, said Chief Kenton Buckner of the Little Rock Police Department. Eastern District of Arkansas | Jury Convicts Little Rock Man for A press release from the drug task force detailed a large interagency drug bust this week in NEA. Possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams but less than 280 grams of crack cocaine is punishable by not less than five years, not more than 40 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $5,000,000, and not less than four years supervised release. One of those arrested Wednesday was Freddie Gladney III, 28, an EBK associate and hip-hop artist who goes by the name of "Bankroll Freddie." Three federal investigations focused on the drug and firearm pipeline in Arkansas came to a head on Wednesday morning when 80 indictments were unsealed and 45 arrests were made, which included the rapper Bankroll Freddie, whose real name is Freddie Gladney III. POLICE BEAT: Drug search leads to woman's arrest - Arkansas Online A locked padlock Representatives from law enforcement agencies across the state converse before a news conference Wednesday at the U.S. attorneys office in Little Rock. Distribution of less than 500 grams of cocaine is punishable by not more than 20 years incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons with a possible fine of up to $1,000,000, and not less than three years supervised release. Legal Statement. 15 people arrested in Little Rock-based drug trafficking bust. Afterward, Charles Hobbs, Collins' stepfather, expressed his appreciation for the work that went into the investigations. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to find and dismantle groups who misuse the U.S. Mail, said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Fort Worth Division of the USPIS. Most of the defendants who were arrested this morning will appear at a later date for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe. Between March 2021 and June 2022, the FBI utilized 12 wiretaps to get real-time information and intervene to prevent violence in Pine Bluff, Little Rock and other communities throughout the state. Thirteen people were arraigned in federal court Wednesday on drug distribution charges after being arrested Tuesday morning as part of what federal authorities dubbed "Operation Hartbreak Kid." Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins was shot and killed in October 2020 while serving an arrest warrant on an EBK associate wanted for a homicide in Georgia. He is charged with felony escape, two felony counts of possession of Schedule II drugs with purpose, felony possession of Schedule I drugs with purpose, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession of marijuana with purpose. This investigation involved the seizure of various illegal drugs ranging from marijuana to fentanyl, along with several firearms. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. PressReader. This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anne Gardner. LITTLE ROCKThirteen people will appear in federal court today after being arrested Tuesday morning as part of "Operation Hartbreak Kid.". Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Deputies: Drugs found stashed in Little Debbie box during Arkansas In just the first half of this current fiscal period, the state is already at $115 million. Mexican cartels are marketing their drugs through social media: Former DEA special agent. Box 1229 Rawls, 50, of Benton, was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The DEAs investigation found drugs were mailed from California into Arkansas in shipments that included kilogram-quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pills, according to the press release. At this time, agents located LSD, Kratom, marijuana, paraphernalia, MDMA (ecstasy), mushrooms, $2,449.00, five firearms, and cocaine. GEORGIA MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING $50K FROM ELDERLY WOMAN, POSSESSION OF GUNS AND MARIJUANA, Rapper Bankroll Freddie attends his Birthday Party at Onyx Nightclub on April 7, 2021 in Atlanta. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Rhodes told the confidential source to meet him in the John Barrow area of Little Rock. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Clinton Presidential Center debuting Dinosaur Explorer, Tuesday Morning going out of business, set to close, Jacksonvilles farmers market set to kick off 2023, Pay-per-article service coming to Twitter, Le Creuset just launched a dreamy new color for spring, Our fitness expert weighs in on this years top spring, Picnic-planning ideas for the spring season, Clinton Presidential Center debuts dino exhibit in, Yellen says drop-dead date for debt ceiling is June, Tuesday Morning closing, including 8 AR stores, Jacksonvilles farmers market starts 2023 season, Hunter Biden in AR court over child support payments, Four bald eagles dead, $5k reward for suspect info, CALS to undergo renovation & prepare for new space, Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns, Zelensky: There will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. Little Rock, AR 72203, Telephone:(501) 340-2600 A federal investigation dubbed Operation Mad Hatter led to the arrest of 15 individuals authorities say are tied to a central Arkansas drug trafficking organization. Legal Statement. Two Drug Conspiracies Land Little Rock Man in Federal Prison for 18 Years Thursday, May 5, 2022 Share For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Arkansas LITTLE ROCKA Little Rock man's involvement in two separate drug conspiracies will end with him spending 18 years in federal prison. Gladney was already under federal indictment for drug and gun crimes stemming from an April arrest by state police following a traffic stop in Crittenden County. Jim Dawson, the special agent in charge of the local FBI office, said after Collins' death, the FBI banded together with investigative partners around the state to accelerate efforts to address the problem of violent crime in central Arkansas. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Tuesday, the unnamed drug interdiction deputy was patrolling along highway 67 near Searcy when he pulled over a car for a lane change violation. The indictment was handed down by a Federal Grand Jury on . So if you just do the math on those 24,000 pills, youre looking at 4,000 lethal doses or possibly 4,000 lives that have been saved just on this one stop.. Drug trafficking brings violence and fear to our communities, and we will do everything we can to protect our streets from these crimes, stated Jonathan D. Ross, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. [], During this years competition, competitors will use their robots to simulate a waterway cleanup. A third operation, this one led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), began in August 2021 when DEA and the North Little Rock Police Department identified street-level methamphetamine and fentanyl dealers in central Arkansas who were connected to the same source of supply. North Little police arrest man carrying over $175,000 worth of drugs, guns Authorities arrested 33-year-old Michael Hall for outstanding warrants. Additional support was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Joint Task Force; and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. During the stop, he asked to search the car and was given permission by the driver. We appreciate the dedication and commitment of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who conducted this investigation and made these arrests., Methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl are insidious, addictive drugs that consume all who abuse them, said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarad Harper. Further, there were numerous items used to produce, grow, cultivate, package, and sell controlled substances. Arkansas police arrest 22 people for alleged drug operation - KTHV The total street value of the bust more than $3 million, one of the largest traffic-stop-related drug busts in White County history. North Little man arrested carrying $175,000 worth of drugs, guns - KTHV OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. ARKANSAS The season of giving is here, and the Postal Service is putting out the call for kind-hearted, generous people across the country to sign [], An unfortunate accident happened Saturday evening in Jonesboro involving a patrol car and a civilian driver. An official website of the United States government. The FBI conducted their operations with assistance from Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, Little Rock Police Department, North Little Rock Police Department, Pine Bluff Police Department, and Jonesboro Police Department. During the search, drugs were found and the two men were arrested. Below is the release, as written: On June 16, 2021, Agents with Homeland Security and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force, partnered with officers from Jonesboro Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Craighead County Sheriff's Department, Greene Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross said Wednesday's operation was part of an ongoing effort to address the problem of gang violence in central Arkansas. Agents with Homeland Security received information from FedEx and Border Patrol regarding a package shipped from Mexico to Rector, Arkansas that contained approximately fifteen pounds of DMT, which is a hallucinogenic schedule I controlled substance. An indictment contains only allegations. Three men pleaded guilty in two separate fentanyl cases in federal court in Little Rock on Wednesday. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. (Prince Williams/Wireimage). Terrell Fordson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, while federal prosecutors dismissed two other charges.

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