Six Convicted in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
Evidence Gathered from Federal Wiretaps Uncovers Sophisticated Cocaine Enterprise

MONTGOMERY, AL—George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, announced that six people were convicted by a jury in federal district court of conspiring to distribute powder cocaine and cocaine base. Defendant William Jerome Davis was also found guilty of money laundering. The six defendants convicted are:

Willie Jerome Davis, a.k.a. “Mobey,” age 52, of Elmore, Alabama; Eulanda Lashade Trimble, a.k.a. “Yo Yo,” age 33, of Montgomery, Alabama; Clifton Pettus, a.k.a. “Biscuit,” age 33, of Montgomery, Alabama; Robert Marshall, a.k.a. “Big Daddy,” age 39, of Montgomery, Alabama; William James Reese, age 38, of Deatsville, Alabama; and Eric Orlando Reese, age 38, of Montgomery, Alabama.

All defendants were found guilty after a two-and-a-half-week trial before Chief United States District Judge W. Keith Watkins.

Evidence introduced at trial showed a sophisticated drug trafficking conspiracy involving multi-kilograms of powder cocaine. This conspiracy ranged from Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties. Prosecutors introduced evidence gathered from four judicially authorized wiretaps initiated in February 2012 and running through May 2012. These wiretaps uncovered two drug trafficking cells that had joined forces to saturate Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties with cocaine. In addition to drug evidence gathered from wiretaps, prosecutors showed evidence of money laundering and unexplained wealth. According to the evidence, Mr. Willie Jerome Davis had at least $500,000 of illicit assets, including real and personal property. After establishing that Davis had very limited legitimate income, the jury was allowed to infer that his “wealth” came from illicit activity—drug trafficking.

United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. stated, “I want to thank local law enforcement for the tremendous help they provided to DEA. It is with the cooperation and assistance of local law enforcement, such as the Millbrook Police Department, the Wetumpka Police Department, the Montgomery Police Department, and through the Central Alabama Drug Task Force and HIDTA Task Force areas that we are able to prosecute individuals who prey on the weak and feed the drug culture that has become so prevalent in America. In addition to severe prison sentences, our office will seek the forfeiture of cash, personal property, and any homes used as means to sell drugs.”

U.S. Attorney Beck specifically would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Verne H. Speirs, Gray M. Borden, and Tommie Brown Hardwick.

DEA Resident Agent in Charge W. Marshall Simons remarked, “These guilty verdicts are a culmination of superior collaborative efforts by DEA Montgomery, the Middle District of Alabama United States Attorney’s Office, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, FBI, and our other, federal, state, and local counterparts. This case sends an undeniable message to drug dealers in the greater Montgomery, Alabama area: your illegal activities are not welcomed here. The verdicts in this case represent the collective and symbolic voice of the fine citizenry in this community who have resolved to partner with us to take back their streets. The men and women of DEA remain steadfast in our commitment to this endeavor.”

At sentencing, some defendants will face mandatory minimum terms of incarceration, including life imprisonment. Other defendants could be sentenced to as much as twenty years’ imprisonment. A sentencing date has yet to be set by the court.

The following local, state, and federal agencies assisted with this investigation: DEA’s Montgomery Regional Office, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, Birmingham District Office, DEA Atlanta, DEA New York, DEA’s Special Operations Division, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Financial Investigation Team (Atlanta, Georgia), FBI, United States Marshals, Central Alabama Drug Task Force, Office Of The Attorney General, Elmore County Sherriff’s Office, Wetumpka Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, Millbrook Police Department, Montgomery County Sherriff’s Office, Prattville Police Department, Autauga County Sherriff’s Office, Alabama State Police, Alabama Beverage Control, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, Chilton County Sherriff’s Office, and the Alabama National Guard.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Verne H. Speirs, Gray M. Borden, and Tommie Brown Hardwick.