Thirty-Two Indicted for Federal Drug and Gun Violations

CHATTANOOGA, TN—A federal grand jury in Chattanooga returned nine indictments charging 32 people on October 22, 2013. Indictments charge

• Robert Stephon North, 34, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Juanzell Jenkins, 37, of Adairsville, Georgia
• Joe Jenkins, 40, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Jumoke Johnson, Jr., 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Shannon D. Mitchell, 29, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Gerald Toney, 33, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Dejuan Cooper, 23, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Guy L. Wilkerson, Jr., 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Rodney Harris II, 22, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Frank White, 30, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Valentino Harris, 28, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Torrey Gilmore, 38, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Reginald D. Oakley, 39, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Tommy Ryals, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia
• Juane Joseph, 19, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Leonita Blackmon, 32, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• LaJeromeny Brown, 35, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Kenneth Hopkins, 49, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Kentarius Nealy, 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Idriss Barr, 29, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Adrian Washington, 36, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Milo E. Geiger, 36, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Jerry Wayne Alexander, Jr., 41, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Johnny Caldwell, Jr., 44, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Garry Brown, 24, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Robert Siler, 27, of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Thaddius L. Humphrey, 32, of Chattanooga, Tennessee

with conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and/or five kilograms or more of cocaine. Derrick L. Smith, 22, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is charged with possession of cocaine base (“crack”) with the intent to distribute it. Donte Taylor, 27, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Rahmon Christian, 21, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Tramale Johnson, 25, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, are charged with being convicted felons in possession of firearms. Johnson is also charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Finally, Stephone L. Reed, 23, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is charged with carjacking, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The coordinated arrests of these individuals by federal, state, and local law enforcement began on the morning of November 4, 2013. The arrested individuals will be appearing in U.S. District Court this afternoon and throughout the remainder of the week.

If convicted, the individuals charged with conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”) and/or five kilograms or more of cocaine face a sentence of at least 10 years to life. Depending on their previous criminal histories, these individuals could face a sentence of 20 years to life or even a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison. If convicted, Derrick L. Smith faces up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, Donte Taylor, Rahmon Christian, and Tramale Johnson face at least zero to 10 years in prison, and possibly 15 years to life depending on their previous felony convictions. If convicted, Stephone L. Reed faces zero to 15 years in prison for carjacking, plus seven years to life for brandishing the firearm during a crime of violence. Any of these individuals who are convicted would also face a potential fine, restitution, and a period of supervised release. Sentences in federal court are served without the possibility of parole.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Chattanooga Police Department; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Red Bank Police Department; Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office; and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Poole and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Regalia and Meredith Edwards will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.