Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; along with David T. Resch, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Little Rock Police Department Chief Kenton Buckner announced the unsealing of a 62-count indictment charging multiple defendants in Arkansas, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee, with multiple drug, weapons and money laundering charges. An investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization based in Little Rock resulted in the early-morning arrests of 22 defendants on charges involving distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, weapons possession, and money laundering charges. 20 arrests were made in Little Rock; one, Christian White, was arrested in the Mesquite/Dallas, Texas area; and one, Rachel Green, was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. Three; Michael Dawkins, Rodriques Davis and Richard Beason, are still at large.
“These large-scale investigations and ultimate arrests take a well-planned coordinated effort by many law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels,” stated Thyer. “We are fortunate to have good working relationships where drug trafficking organizations such as this one are dismantled. Not only are the drugs taken off the street, but the associated weapons and criminal enterprise is removed from our neighborhoods.
“We are proud of this partnership which remains focused on dismantling the violent criminal enterprises which attempt to root their networks within our communities,” said Special Agent In Charge David T. Resch of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. “Today’s arrests are the culmination of a long term collaboration between the Little Rock, Benton, and Sherwood Police Departments, as well as the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Marshals, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, the US Attorney’s office, and the FBI.”
“Today’s events provide an excellent example of the partnerships between local, county, state, and federal agencies. We greatly appreciate the FBI and their continued support for this critical mission,” said Chief Kenton Buckner of the Little Rock Police Department.
The FBI investigation began in January 2013. Multiple undercover operations and numerous other law enforcement actions, including multiple seizures of cocaine and crack cocaine were used during the investigation. All told, the FBI purchased more than 1.75 kilos of cocaine from the Freddie Brewster drug trafficking organization (DTO) in a dozen controlled purchases. In addition, agents seized more than nine ounces of crack cocaine and more than 165 pounds of marijuana.
The Brewster DTO was based out of Brewster’s Used Auto and Detail shop on Forbing Road in southwest Little Rock. Included in the indictment were several forfeiture counts which called for the forfeiture of multiple vehicles used by the Freddie Brewster organization, including the inventory of the used car shop. 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.
The indictment was handed down by a Federal Grand Jury on September 11, 2014. The indictment charges 25 defendants in 62 separate counts. The counts include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine, felon in possession of firearms, money laundering, and the use of telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine each defendant will face a sentence of not less than 10 years to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including: the Little Rock Police Department, Benton Police Department, Sherwood Police Department, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Marshal Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Givens and Benecia Moore.
An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
*Original release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and reused with their permission*
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