Ten Charged with Offenses Related to Multi-Year Cocaine Conspiracy

MADISON, WIS. – Three indictments have been unsealed charging a total of 10 people with participating in a cocaine conspiracy, announced Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.  The indictments were returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin, on January 5, 2022. 

The first indictment charges:

1.         Winfield Agee, 35, Chicago, Illinois;

2.         Darryl McDonald, 38, Chicago;

3.         Jason Hall, 36, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin;

4.         Nikia Cannon, 46, Chicago;

5.         Kiayla Alston, 28, Madison;

6.         Daniel Barlow, 34, Madison;

7.         Daren Jones, 27, Madison; and

8.         Larry Dotson, 40, Madison.

This indictment charges that from December 2014 to November 2020, Winfield Agee and Darryl McDonald conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.  The indictment also charges that from November 2010 to July 2020, Agee conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.  If convicted, Agee and McDonald face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life on the cocaine conspiracy charge, and Agee faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the marijuana conspiracy. Agee was arrested in Chicago on January 12, 2022 and his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day. McDonald was arrested in Indiana on January 12, 2022.  His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne, Indiana occurred on January 13, 2022.

The indictment also charges that from December 2018 to May 2020, Jason Hall conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  The indictment alleges that the amount of cocaine attributable to Hall was 500 grams or more.  In addition, the indictment charges Hall with 5 counts of distributing cocaine in April and May 2020, and with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on February 24, 2021.  If convicted, Hall faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life on the cocaine conspiracy charge, and a maximum of 20 years on the other 6 charges.  Hall was arrested in Madison on January 13 and his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day.

The indictment charges that from December 2018 to May 2020, Nikia Cannon and Kiayla Alston conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Cannon was arrested in Chicago, Illinois on January 13, 2022 and her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Chicago occurred on the same day. Alston was arrested in Madison on January 13, 2022 and her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day.

The indictment charges Daren Jones with 3 counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed cocaine for distribution on April 26, April 30, and May 6, 2020.  If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.  Jones was arrested in Madison on January 13, 2022.  His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison is scheduled for today.

The indictment charges Daniel Barlow with 2 counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.   The indictment alleges that he possessed cocaine for distribution on April 24 and May 5, 2020.  If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.  Barlow was already in custody on an unrelated matter. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.

Finally, the indictment charges Larry Dotson with attempting to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute on November 25, 2020.  If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  Dotson was arrested in Madison on January 12, 2022.  His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.

The second indictment charges Shaneeque Parker, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on November 25, 2020.  If convicted, Parker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled. 

The third indictment charges Brian Battle, 44, Jefferson, Wisconsin, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on April 25, 2021, he possessed cocaine for distribution and a firearm.  If convicted, Battle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the cocaine charge and a maximum of 10 years on the gun charge.  His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.

The charges against these individuals are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Jefferson County Narcotics Task Force; Madison Police Department; and Chicago Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.