Multiple Arrests Made in Operation Green Giant

BIRMINGHAM—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Patrick J. Maley, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale, and SAC Reginael D. McDaniel, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, announced the arrests of 11 individuals in connection with an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case known as Operation Green Giant.

Arrested today were:

• Anthony Bartae McGinnis, age 25;
• Brandon Lane Moody, age 29;
• Cameron Darnell White, age 20;
• Corderell DeWayne Carson, age 22;
• Dimitris Heckstall, age 18;
• Gavin Darnell Walker, age 22;
• Marion Jeray Campbell, age 24;
• Marlon Earl Riggs, age 35;
• Silanis Joseph Snedecor, age 38;
• Kimberly Monique Warren, age 30;
• Reco Darnell Walker, Jr., age 19

Indicted and currently incarcerated on other charges are:

• Joel Dewayne Hall, age 33;
• Demarcus Leshawn Whitt, age 23;
• Carlos Antonio Riggs, age 33

The investigation, which began in 2008, resulted in the December, 2010 indictment of these individuals for distribution of oxycodone pills, more commonly referred to as oxycontin. The organization distributed thousands of pills per month. The investigation further revealed the organization also distributed heroin, cocaine, and other prescription medication, and was involved in money laundering.

The drug operation, which has a history of violence, was run out of the Brighton area of Jefferson County and operated like a fast food restaurant, putting so many vehicles on the streets that neighborhood residents couldn’t get through to their own homes. Citizen complaints brought the matter to the attention of law enforcement.

“Today’s operation is another outstanding example of citizen involvement, law enforcement cooperation and information sharing at all levels. This collaboration will lead to the disruption and dismantlement of a large scale drug operation with a history of violence,” SAC Maley said.

“We appreciate very much our relationship with our federal and local law enforcement agencies. That relationship impacted and shut down a major drug operation in western Jefferson County. There is no doubt lives will be saved because of it and good people living in the area will get some deserved relief,” Sheriff Hale said.

“The indictment of these individuals puts a spotlight on organizations that distribute illegal drugs, and on the exemplary coordination among law enforcement in our community, which leads to breaking up these organizations. Illegal drugs, particularly ones as addictive as heroin and oxycodone, are enormously harmful to the individuals who use them and to the communities where they are trafficked,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance. “Our goal is to stop criminal enterprises that profit from the illegal trade of dangerous narcotics and take away any financial benefit they receive from their crimes,” she said.

“IRS Criminal Investigation together with the law enforcement community in Birmingham are united in our resolve to investigate and financially disrupt any organization that is allegedly engaged in illegal drug distribution,” SAC McDaniel said.

SAC Maley credited the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, and special agents from the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation with the investigation. Maley also thanked and expressed appreciation to the Birmingham, Hueytown, and Midfield Police Departments, as well as the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF), which includes the Homewood, Hoover, Bessemer, and Irondale Police Departments, as well as Jefferson and Shelby County Sheriffs’ Offices.

Members of the public are reminded that indictments contain only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.