Fifteen Indicted in Drug Trafficking Investigation
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 09, 2009 |
Fifteen individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury relating to charges of conspiracy to distribute crack and powder cocaine in Bay City, Michigan, United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced today. The indictments are the result of a joint FBI and ATF investigation targeting members of the “Marshall Organization,” a drug trafficking group operating throughout the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Berg was joined in the announcement by Gustavo Grodsinsky, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Thomas E. Brandon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Police Chief Michael J. Cecchini, Bay City Police Department.
The indictment was sealed by court order until today. Charged in the indictment were:
- Eric Marshall, 48, formerly of St. Louis, MO, currently of Bay City, MI;
- Marko Burns, 29, of Bay City, MI;
- Rolando Demyers, 23, formerly of St. Louis, MO, currently of Bay City, MI;
- Dale Hawn, 38, of Bay City, MI;
- Jwan Hoyt, 19, Bay City, MI;
- Terry Marshall, 44, of Bay City, MI;
- Carolson Martin, 29, of Bay City, MI;
- Johnny Marshall, 41, of St. Louis, MO;
- Ariq Mcculloh, 22, of Bay City, MI;
- Stephen Marshall, 22, of Bay City, MI;
- Earl Blount, 29, of Bay City, MI;
- James Anderson, 36, of Detroit, MI;
- Jesse Wayne Peterson, 27, of Bay City, MI;
- Johnny Walker, 26, of Bay City, MI; and
- Antoine Marshall, 44, of Kawkawlin, MI
The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute crack and powder cocaine in Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties. The indictment also alleges specific crack and powder cocaine distributions, along with the possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.
United States Attorney Terrence Berg stated, “Crack continues to threaten the vitality and safety of the most marginalized members of our society and undermines the health of many neighborhoods. Today’s indictment is an attempt to dismantle an organization that is alleged to distribute significant amounts of both crack and powder cocaine. It is a good example of what can be accomplished through local, state and federal law enforcement cooperation.”
FBI Special Agent In Charge Andrew Arena stated, “As a partner with Mid-Michigan the law enforcement agencies, we strive to work matters that impact communities and have far reaching impact. The FBI will continue to work in conjunction with our partners to disrupt and dismantle such organizations. The FBI would like to especially recognize the cooperation and partnership of the Bay City Police Department in the investigation in this case.”
At the time of this release fourteen defendants have been arrested and will be making appearances in federal court in Bay City, Michigan, as well as St. Louis, Missouri.
Earlier this morning, agents executed sixteen federal search warrants in Bay City and Detroit, Michigan. Agents recovered more than 1 kilogram of powder cocaine, 2 ounces of crack cocaine, firearms, and other drug paraphernalia.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent. It will be the government’s burden to prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
United States Attorney Berg congratulated all the law enforcement partners who took part in the investigation including the FBI, ATF, Bay City Police Department, Michigan State Police, and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team. Their significant cooperation resulted in the Indictment in this case. He noted that the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shane N. Waller.