Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Easter District of Arkansas; William J. Bryant, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Little Rock Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Sheriff David Lucas, Jackson County, announced that seven defendants were taken into custody Thursday morning, Jan. 28, on warrants following an indictment which was returned Jan. 6.
Joe Lewis Brandon, Jr., a.k.a. Tall, 29, of Newport; Frederick Lamond Taylor, a.k.a. Freddie O, 30, of Newport; Henry Demon Peel, a.k.a. Moon, 23, of Newport; Leslie Armstrong, a.k.a. Wes B., 34, of Newport; Otis Lesley Hill, a.k.a. O, 28, of Jonesboro; Timothy D. Maddox, a.k.a. Tim Tim, 32, of Searcy; and Vidall Lynn Swanson, 37, of Newport, were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.
They were expected to make their initial appearance for plea and arraignment Thursday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth Deere.
Due to its size and scope, the investigation was conducted as an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case known as "Operation Newport."
During the investigation, law enforcement agents, acting through cooperating witnesses, purchased multiple ounces of crack cocaine.
Agents have also seized more than 15 kilograms of cocaine powder.
Cocaine powder is utilized in the manufacture of crack cocaine. The defendants distributed the crack cocaine in Newport, Jonesboro, Searcy, Blytheville, Little Rock and the surrounding towns.
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Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Easter District of Arkansas; William J. Bryant, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Little Rock Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Sheriff David Lucas, Jackson County, announced that seven defendants were taken into custody Thursday morning, Jan. 28, on warrants following an indictment which was returned Jan. 6.
Joe Lewis Brandon, Jr., a.k.a. Tall, 29, of Newport; Frederick Lamond Taylor, a.k.a. Freddie O, 30, of Newport; Henry Demon Peel, a.k.a. Moon, 23, of Newport; Leslie Armstrong, a.k.a. Wes B., 34, of Newport; Otis Lesley Hill, a.k.a. O, 28, of Jonesboro; Timothy D. Maddox, a.k.a. Tim Tim, 32, of Searcy; and Vidall Lynn Swanson, 37, of Newport, were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.
They were expected to make their initial appearance for plea and arraignment Thursday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth Deere.
Due to its size and scope, the investigation was conducted as an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case known as "Operation Newport."
During the investigation, law enforcement agents, acting through cooperating witnesses, purchased multiple ounces of crack cocaine.
Agents have also seized more than 15 kilograms of cocaine powder.
Cocaine powder is utilized in the manufacture of crack cocaine. The defendants distributed the crack cocaine in Newport, Jonesboro, Searcy, Blytheville, Little Rock and the surrounding towns.
