Thread: 26 arrested in operation to take down large-scale criminal enterprise

26 arrested in operation to take down large-scale criminal enterprise

Published On: Mar 13 2014 08:15:32 AM PDT Updated On: Mar 13 2014 12:31:42 PM PDT



SPOKANE, Wash. -Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies fanned across the area Thursday morning and executed search warrants on a dozen locations, arresting 26 people in the process.

The warrants were executed by the Spokane Violent Crime and Gang Enforcement Team, supported by members of the FBI, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police, Spokane Valley Police, Spokane County Sheriff, US Border Patrol, U.S. Marshal's Service, DEA and Homeland Security.

The execution of the warrants and subsequent arrests were part of an attempt to disrupt a large-scale criminal enterprise.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has called for a 2:30 p.m. media briefing where they will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Thursday's operation.

http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-new...ounty/24956008

March 13, 2014 in City

Dozens arrested after drug raids Thursday morning

Federal government involved, Sheriff’s Office says

From staff reports

Dozens of suspects were arrested Thursday on federal drug charges involving the manufacture and sale of opiates, according to federal court documents.

Law enforcement agents from multiple jurisdictions served search warrants throughout Spokane early Thursday, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. They were searching for evidence multiple people with ties to Spokane, California, Idaho and Nevada were selling ecstasy, oxycodone, methamphetamine and PCP, according to court documents.

A joint task force of FBI agents, Spokane Police officers, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been investigating the alleged drug ring for more than a year. Sealed indictments were filed in federal court late last month. Redacted versions indicate the investigation began in March 2013.

In total, 39 people were indicted, according to a joint news release from multiple law enforcement agencies. Twenty-six of those suspects arrested list Spokane addresses. Documents indicate the alleged sales occurred as recently as last month.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/201...rants-spokane/

UPDATE

March 14, 2014

Dozens arrested in raids throughout Spokane, Rathdrum

Nina Culver The Spokesman-Review

Jesse Tinsley photo

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, center, talks to reporters, along with police Chief Frank Straub, left, and interim Special Agent in Charge W. Jay Abbott, right.

Arrested and sought

Spokane County arrests: Sean M. Allen, 32; Delmont A. Black, 37; Aaron C. Brown, 40; Jason C. Brown, 42; Jerrelyn L. Comstock, 30; Amanda E. Curry, 27; Stafone N. Fuentes, 29; Deandre S. Gaither, 34; John A. Grace, 40; Shauna J. Gunning, 22; Jason L. Jones, 42; Tera A. Kinard, 21; Michael A. King, 28; Sean L. Lambert, 33; Kathryn I. Lust-Liggins, 31; Brett Luton, 41; Calvin B. Mason, 43; Vonderick Noble, 25; Robert Rushing, 38; Ronnie T. Simms, 56; Sam G. Ward, 29; Elizabeth I. Weister, 23; Cierra C. White, 19; and David L. Womack, 45.California arrests: Dyon L. Bramlett, 25; Tony L. Bramlett, 52; Kenneth R. Budik, 26; Gilbert A. Crawley, 41.Las Vegas arrests: Kory A. J. Hall, 32.

Still wanted
• Spokane residents Todd Andry, 47; Eric Burton, 29; Rashjel G. Cage, 28; Skyler B. Hansen, 27; Nicholas P. Maddox, 19; Courtney D. Vaughn, 34; Keith L. Williams, 32.• Ronald E. Gardner, 40; Takiyah R. Gayle, 40, of Rathdrum.• Joseph L. Davis, 38, of Long Beach, Calif.

Dozens were arrested in Spokane-area raids Thursday on federal charges involving the manufacture and sale of opiate drugs in a network spanning four states.

Law enforcement agents from multiple jurisdictions served search warrants throughout the Spokane area and in Rathdrum early Thursday.
They were searching for evidence that multiple people with ties to Spokane, California, Idaho and Nevada were selling ecstasy, oxycodone, methamphetamine and PCP, according to court documents.

FBI agents, Spokane police officers and Spokane County deputies have been investigating the alleged drug ring for more than a year as part of a joint task force.



The local Spokane Violent Crime and Gang Enforcement Team led the investigation, and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich singled out team members for praise during a news conference Thursday.

“I really believe this unit has made our community safer,” Knezovich said.

The arrests came after “relentless pursuit” of those involved, said Spokane police Chief Frank Straub. “We will not tolerate the distribution of drugs, acts of violence or any other activities that threaten our community,” he said.

In total, 39 people were indicted; 29 of those have been arrested and 10 more are wanted fugitives. Twenty-six of those indicted list Spokane addresses.

Most face one or two charges of distribution of a controlled substance or conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. W. Jay Abbott, acting special agent in charge for the FBI, singled out one as the ringleader, referring to the criminal activity as the “Deandre Gaither enterprise.”

Gaither, 34, faces 10 charges related to distributing a variety of illegal drugs – an echo of a 2004 drug ring bust in which he was one of 18 arrested in Spokane. He served nearly five years in prison in that case.
Investigators seized illegal drugs valued at $30,000 during the raids Thursday, Abbott said.

By the end of the day, several of those arrested posted a $10,000 bond each and were released from jail. Several others are scheduled to have a bail hearing before a federal judge on Tuesday.

According to previous news reports and court documents, most of those indicted have lengthy criminal records, including:
• Delmont A. Black, 37, is a Level 3 registered sex offender with convictions for child rape, indecent liberties and assault with a sexual motivation.
• Stafone N. Fuentes, 29, was involved in a fight that led to a fatal shooting of Moses Lake rapper Jose J. Solis at the downtown Quality Inn in 2011.
• Eric Burton, 29, who has not been arrested, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault in the gang-related shooting death of Calvin Banks in 2005 at the Crazy 8’s bar. He was accused of providing the gun used to shoot gang member John S. Williams in 2010.
• Rashjel G. Cage, 28, also not arrested, pleaded guilty to riot and unlawful possession of a firearm after a shooting at Hoopfest in 2010 that injured three bystanders. Cage was also involved in or a target of several other gang-related shootings in 2007 and 2008.
• John A. Grace survived a gunshot in the face from a DEA agent in 2004. Grace tried to run the agent over with his car, according to newspaper reports. The bullet went through the windshield and struck Grace.
Grace was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of assaulting a federal officer and selling crack cocaine.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/201...ghout-spokane/