Louisville Residents Charged in Multiple-Count Indictment in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

LOUISVILLE,—Members of an alleged drug trafficking organization operating out of Jefferson County, Kentucky were arraigned in U.S. District court this week on multiple charges including distribution of cocaine and heroin, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

According to the May 22, 2013, grand jury indictment, unsealed yesterday, 14 defendants from the Louisville area participated in a conspiracy beginning in April 2011 and lasting until April 30, 2013, to possess and distribute large quantities of cocaine and heroin. Defendant Anthony D. Smith, a/k/a “Blackjack,” had previously been convicted of a felony in Jefferson County Circuit Court. Smith, Charles A. Reed, and Eric Dryden were previously charged in U.S. District Court on May 1, 2013, in a criminal felony complaint. According to an affidavit attached to the complaint, the defendants operated their alleged drug trafficking operation from 2415 Ralph Avenue and 10112 McNeely Lake Drive, both located in Jefferson County, Kentucky. On April 30, 2013, Smith is alleged to have provided law enforcement with 10 kilograms of cocaine in a controlled purchase. A search warrant executed at the two residences resulted in the seizure of six handguns, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.

Arrested and facing various charges in the 16-count indictment were Smith; Reed; Dryden; Monica J. Smith; William R. Smith, a/k/a “Ray Ray,”; Kendrick C. Brown, a/k/a “Stacks”; Joyce Vickie Smith; Joseph Whitfield; Clark Brown; Kinte Brown; Deon Crumes; Mike Miller; Melvin Young, a/k/a “Dead”; and Andre L. Oneal.

If convicted at trial, defendants face penalties from no less than five years in federal prison per count and up to 20 years per count, three years and up to 10 years of supervised release per count, and fines ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000 per count. The defendants are in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case is being prosecuted by J. Scott Davis and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Louisville Metro Police Department; and Shively Police Department.

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The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.