Eleven Men Charged as Part of Investigation into Drug Trafficking in Hope, Arkansas
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 06, 2014 |
HOPE, AR—Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas; David T. Resch, FBI Special Agent in Charge; and Christi McQueen, Prosecuting Attorney for the Eighth Judicial District of Arkansas-North, announced that 11 individuals have been charged with federal crimes involving large scale drug trafficking of methamphetamine in Hope, Arkansas and surrounding areas. A total of seven indictments were returned by the grand jury.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Like many small towns, Hope has been plagued by drug trafficking. With this case, numerous drug traffickers in the area have been arrested and are being prosecuted. Cleaning up drug activity is vital to the success and growth of Hope, as it is for all communities. We appreciate the hard work of all agencies involved in the investigation of this case and will continue to vigorously prosecute this type of activity throughout the Western District of Arkansas.”
“I can’t overstate the power of partnerships in fighting today’s organized drug activities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge David T. Resch. “Today’s arrests of 11 individuals for distributing methamphetamine in Hempstead and Howard Counties is the result of hard work by our partners. Along with thanking those who serve on the South Central and Bi-State Narcotics Task Forces, I would like to thank the Hempstead and Howard County Sheriff’s Offices, the Hope Police Department, the Arkansas State Police, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Eighth Judicial District-North Prosecutor Christi McQueen, all of whose efforts contributed to today’s arrests.”
Christi McQueen, Prosecuting Attorney for the Eight Judicial District of Arkansas-North commented, “I’m grateful for the cooperation of local, state, and federal officials that resulted in these arrests. Methamphetamine is a scourge of our nation and this area. All men and women who are successfully fighting it deserve our appreciation and support.”
The following individuals have been charged: Adrian Dabila Aranda, 34; Ishmael Aranda, Jr., 19; Christian Archer, 29; Laquan D. Haynes, 29; James L. Block, 24; Brodney J. Dixon, 28; Billy R. Florence, 31; Lamario D. Henderson, 25; Carlos Leonel Silva, 29; Phil Stuard, Jr., 30; and Deshawn G. White, 25, all from the Hope area.
Agencies involved in the investigation include the FBI, South Central Drug Task Force, Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, Hope Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and Department of Homeland Security
Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Quinn is prosecuting the cases for the United States.
The charges in the indictments are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.