Evansville – United States Attorney Josh Minkler today announced federal criminal charges against 14 individuals for their role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring.
“Drug dealing fuels much of the violence that plagues many of our communities,” said Minkler. “My goal is to make Evansville one of the most inhospitable places in the country to sell illegal drugs. Those who do sell illegal drugs will face the full force of federal prosecution.”
Those charged include:
Mark Dow, Jr. 37, Owensboro, Kentucky
Tommy Howard, 42, Evansville
Andrea Maddox, 37, Evansville
Derricus Gilbert, 34, Tell City
Noel Henry, 42, Evansville
William Brown 33, Evansville
Kelly Damien, 33 Evansville
Tashiya Sanabria, 38, Evansville
Charles Redwine, 33, Evansville
Richard Mayo, Jr. 37, Evansville
Robert Howard, 45, Evansville
Bobby Hunter, 37, Evansville
Melinda Sigers, 33, Evansville
Shampayne Brown, 22, Evansville
All individuals are in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service except Tashiya Sanabria who remains a fugitive.
From October 2016 until November 13, 2017, it is alleged that Tommy Howard and Andrea Maddox were the leaders and supervisors of a conspiracy to distribute and possess large quantities of methamphetamine in the Evansville area. T. Howard and Maddox would obtain their methamphetamine from their source of supply who was Mark Dow, Jr. – his sources were in Arizona and California.
Once the methamphetamine was transported to Evansville, it was redistributed to mid-level dealers who sold the drug throughout Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. Members of the conspiracy distributed the methamphetamine on a “front” providing quantities of the drug on a consignment basis, meaning it was paid for after the sale. It is further alleged that the conspirators used cellphones and talked in code language using text messages to discuss matters related to the trafficking operation.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement agents seized 13 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of marijuana, $120,000 in United States currency, and two firearms.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the United States Marshal Service, the Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, the Tell City Police Department, the Owensboro Police Department, the Henderson Police Department and the Kentucky State Police.
“Unfortunately, with drugs, also comes violence and addiction, said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Greg Westfall.” “The message is clear, the DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to utilize all the resources available to target those criminals who are responsible for the distribution of drugs poisoning the Evansville Community.”
“The Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force will continue to work diligently with our Federal law enforcement partners to ensure our community and our citizens remain safe,” said Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin. “This investigation and the resulting arrests are examples of our ongoing commitment to address the problem of drugs in our community.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley who is prosecuting this case for the government, all defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted.
An indictment is merely a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendant are considered innocent until proven guilty in federal court.