NEWS RELEASE
Indianapolis B United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler, announced three indictments of 17 methamphetamine and firearms traffickers, which was unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Evansville. Law enforcement officers from the region participated in the execution of arrest and search warrants related to the investigation on persons and residences in the Evansville, Indiana, and elsewhere.
The indictments were the result of an investigation by the Evansville Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department, Warrick County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
“Drug dealing and the violence that is associated with it, will not be tolerated,” said Minkler. “Helping to maintain the safety of our communities and reducing violent crime is, and will remain a top priority of my office.”
From January 2016, through July 2016, leaders of various drug trafficking organizations obtained large quantities of methamphetamine, then redistribute to lower level dealers to be sold in the Evansville area. In most cases, the methamphetamine would be “fronted” to dealers on consignment, receiving payment after the sale to other dealers. Defendants used cell phones to communicate with one another, often times using code and text messages to discuss matters relative to their drug trafficking operation.
During the course of the investigation, over twenty-three (23) pounds of methamphetamine, approximately ten (10) pounds of marijuana, several thousand pills of ecstasy, eleven (11) firearms and tens of thousands of dollars in United States Currency were seized by law enforcement.
The indictments charge seventeen individuals as follows:
- Tavares Clay, 34, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Michael Lockridge, 30, Evansville, Indiana
- Cederick Baker, 40, Evansville, Indiana
- Joshua Wilson, 24, Evansville, Indiana
- Kenneth Ware Jr., 30, Evansville, Indiana
- Lamario Denton, 29, Evansville, Indiana
- Brandi Addison, 31, Evansville, Indiana
- Jayshon Clay, 21, San Bernardino, California
- Rick Davis, 28, Ingelwood, California
- Artisha Howard, 35, Los Angeles, California
- Terrance Walker, 40, Evansville, Indiana
- Adrian Davison, 42, Evansville, Indiana
- Rashad Robinson, 40, Evansville, Indiana
- Joshua Jacobs, 29, Evansville, Indiana
- Tanner McCoy, 36, Evansville, Indiana
- James Mitchell, 36, Evansville, Indiana
- Eugene Maxwell, 26, Evansville, Indiana
The Indictments charge fifteen (15) of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Two (2) of the defendants, Mitchell and Maxwell, are charged with being felons in possession of firearms.
“Drug traffickers make our neighborhoods less safe,” said DEA Assistant Special in Charge Greg Westfall. “DEA is an enforcement agency and we along with our law enforcement partners, target violent criminals – the ones who bring drugs to your local schools and neighborhoods.”
“This is an example of how the partnership between our office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office enhances the protection of citizens in Vanderburgh County and in the Southern District of Indiana,” said Vanderburgh County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Hermann. “I would like to thank the officers and deputies whose dedication and hard work led to these indictments.”
In addition to the seventeen (17) defendants facing federal charges, fifty-two (52) individuals have been charged, by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, with drug charges and other violations relating to this investigation.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Wheatley who is prosecuting this case for the government, most of the defendants face sentences of 10 years to life, if convicted.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.