March 13, 2015

Eighteen Indicted in Nashville-Detroit Drug Distribution Conspiracy

A federal grand jury in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, returned a 2-count indictment, charging 18 individuals with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Three of the defendants were also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations and the government seeks to forfeit any proceeds and property, including but not limited to a money judgment, representing all or part of the gross proceeds obtained as a result of the alleged crimes.

Yesterday, local, state and federal law enforcement officers in 2 states began arresting those charged in the indictment and also executed several search warrants in the Nashville area and in Detroit, Michigan.

“Illegal drug diversion has greatly contributed to the epidemic prescription drug abuse problem facing our communities today,” said U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “Those who choose to engage in this illegal activity face lengthy prison sentences and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with the DEA and our local and state law enforcement partners to curtail the diversion of these highly addictive substances.”

“While this investigation involved the diversion of highly addictive pharmaceutical pills from out of state into Tennessee, it is another example of DEA and our federal, state, and local partners working jointly to stop the flow of these diverted pills into Tennessee,” said Michael J. Stanfill, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for DEA-Tennessee. “DEA, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners will not only target those organizations in Tennessee who seek to profit from the illegal distribution of pharmaceuticals and negatively impact our communities, but we will also target the sources of these pills regardless of where they operate.”

Those charged in the drug distribution conspiracy include:

  • Ashley Kaye Aldrige, 30, of Antioch, Tenn;
  • Walter Thomas Bowen, Jr., 36, of Smyrna, Tenn;
  • Bernadette Bradley, aka Bernadette Nichole Colley 43, of Detroit, Mich;
  • Howard Brons III, 33, of Murfreesboro, Tenn;
  • Donald Duane Buchanan, Jr., aka Donald Gains, aka Ray Rhodes, 38 of Antioch, Tenn;
  • Andrew Bradley Froome, 24, of Murfreesboro, Tenn;
  • Robert Edwin Hampton, 38, of Smyrna, Tenn;
  • Gene Roland Hardwick, 53, of Detroit, Mich;
  • Benjamin Edward HenryBradley, 31, of Belleville, Mich;
  • Tony Wade Holbrooks, 60, of Nashville, Tenn;
  • James Edward Johnson, II, aka Red, 43, of LaVergne, Tenn;
  • Felicia Ann Jones, aka Auntie, 55, of Westland, Mich;
  • Frank Jeffrey Kelly, Jr., aka Little Man, 23, of Smyrna, Tenn;
  • Eric Anthony McEwen, 38, of Detroit, Mich;
  • Jonathan Lamar Moore, aka J-Boy, 24, of Antioch, Tenn;
  • Pamela O’Neal, 52, of Detroit, Mich;
  • Kai Elijah Ramos, 30, of Smyrna, Tenn. and
  • Bobby Deandrae Robertson, aka B.O., 27, of Nashville, Tenn.

Donald Buchanan, Benjamin Bradley and Felicia Jones were also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each charge.

This extensive investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the IRS-Criminal Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the FBI; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Rutherford County, Tenn. Sheriff’s Dept.; the Smyrna, Tenn. Police Dept.; the Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Police Dept.; the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force; the Michigan State Police; the Brighton, Mich. Police Dept.; and the Clinton township, Mich. Police Dept. Assistant United States Attorney Cecil Vandevender is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.