A federal grand jury has indicted nearly 40 people from Owensboro, Utica, Louisville, Lexington, and California, and seized over 250 pounds of methamphetamine and 12 kilograms of cocaine during a wide-ranging investigation by federal and state law enforcement agencies.
On August 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in Louisville charged a total of 37 defendants in five indictments involving methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine trafficking as well as firearms offenses.
The indictments were the result of a lengthy investigation conducted as part of the Organized Crime and Drug and Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
First indictment
According to the first indictment, eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to prosecutors.
The defendants charged in the indictment were:
- Richard Boarman, 48, of Owensboro
- Joshua Estap, 40, of Owensboro
- Justin Riley, 41, of Owensboro
- Bobby Douglas, 56, of Lexington
- Jamie Voyles, 44, of Owensboro
- Gregory Nuckols, 61, of Owensboro
- Zachariah Nance, 44, of Utica
- Hope Warsinsky, 39, of Owensboro
Second indictment
According to the second indictment, three defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The defendants charged in the indictment were:
- Cameron Jackson, 24, of Owensboro
- Damone McGuire, 29, of Owensboro
- Tyler Vinson, 32, of Owensboro
Jackson is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to the indictment, on May 1, 2024, Jackson possessed a Trail Blazer Arms .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus 9-millimeter pistol, a Zastava Arms .762 caliber pistol, and ammunition. Jackson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.
On December 16, 2019, in Daviess Circuit Court, Jackson was convicted of second-degree manslaughter, receiving stolen property (firearm), tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Third indictment
According to the third indictment, eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The defendants charged in the indictment were:
- Jason Salyer, 50, of Louisville,
- Julia Parrish, 53, of Owensboro
- Jonathan Hawkins, 43, of Owensboro
- Jeramey Hawkins, 46, of Owensboro
- Timothy Roach, 37, of Owensboro
- Charles Nelson, 41, of Utica
- Joe Turner, 46, of Owensboro
Fourth indictment
According to the fourth indictment, four defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as May 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The defendants charged in the indictment were:
- Diana Miranda, 38, of Owensboro
- Deandre Williams, 27, of Louisville,
- Timothy Roberts, 46, of Owensboro
- Shalonna Slaughters, 57, of Owensboro
Fifth indictment
According to the fifth indictment, 14 defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The defendants charged in the first indictment are:
- D’Andre Williams, 40, of Adelanto, California
- Djuan Truss, 42, of Louisville
- Rayshawn Spearman Sr., 39, of Louisville
- Elmondo Elliott, 55, of Los Angeles, California
- Desmond Knox, 50, of Menifree, California
- Rayshawn Spearman Jr., 26, of Louisville
- Brandan Arnold, 42, of Louisville
- Antonio Arnold, 44, of Louisville
- Dwayne Evans, 35, of Louisville
- Melanie Surrell, 45, of Louisville
- Antionio Evans, 42, of Louisville
- Davonte Hoskins, 28, of Louisville
- Gardner Webb, 31, of Louisville
- Tanaja Lee, 23, of Louisville
Williams, Truss, Spearman Sr., and Elliott are also each charged with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed in relation to these charges on July 7, 2024, members of the DEA Evansville Resident Office and Louisville Division Office received information from a confidential source regarding the possible distribution of large quantities of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine.
Through follow up investigation, members of the surveillance team observed a transaction between Williams and Truss at Love’s Travel Stop in Shepherdsville.
According to the complaint affidavit, Kentucky State Police made contact with Williams and Truss and conducted further investigation. Law enforcement ultimately seized cardboard boxes containing approximately 252.9 pounds of methamphetamine and 12 kilograms of cocaine.
31 of 37 defendants in custody
Thirty-one of the 37 defendants have been arrested or are otherwise in custody. Twenty-six defendants have made their initial court appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky or the Central District of California.
Six defendants, Jackson, Williams, Truss, Jeramey Hawkins, Hoskins, and Bermudez are currently in state custody and will make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at a future date.
If convicted, each of the defendants except Jackson face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Jackson faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. All the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
(Photo: Owensboro PD Deputy Chief JD Winkler on right & DEA Assistant Special Agent Michael Gannon, offers details of the operation earlier this week, courtesy of Tim Jagielo, WNIN News)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
