I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of the FBI, ATF, IRS, and LMPD in this case, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett. The FBI Louisvilles Safe Streets Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and investigators from Louisville Metro Police Department, Nelson County Sheriffs Office, Bullitt County Sheriffs Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Internal Revenue Service are investigating the case. ", "They wanted to know where the drugs were coming from. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Louisville, Kentucky Multiple members and associates of an alleged local drug trafficking organization and street gang known as Everybody Shines Together, or, EST, were arrested over the past week in Louisville on federal criminal charges related to alleged drug trafficking and weapons offenses. In the spring and summer, we expanded our reporting efforts to peel back more layers and better understand the cartel's presence nationwide: Reporter Kirby Adams, who had a 13-year career as a WHAS-TV anchor before joining our newsroom in 2014, worked with Strupp and visuals editors Jeff Faughender, Mary Ann Gerth and Scott Utterback to produce and narrate a related 15-minute documentary. I was stunned by itssophisticated distribution system, its violent war with rival cartels and Mexico's governmentand the unbelievable speed in which it had moved into America. In addition to the arrests, several search warrants were executed in connection with the investigation, resulting in the seizure of what is believed to be approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine as well as methamphetamine, multiple firearms, a stolen vehicle, and over $160,000 in United States currency. LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A multi-year, multi-agency effort targeting violent crime in Louisville has resulted in a significant number of arrests and federal charges for the armed distribution of deadly drugs including fentanyl in the city, announced United States Attorney Russell Coleman. Eggert said that he later inspected the building where the pair lived and found evidence of at least 20 gunshots, eight of which hit Taylor, killing her, the Courier Journal reported. As deputies were interviewing this individual, Drago alerted deputies to the presence of illegal narcotics. 15 Indiana 90-68, Boil water advisory issued for east Jefferson County, northern Shelby County, Louisville family says son's accused killer pleading guilty to manslaughter is 'not enough', 'Symptoms of the larger problem' | UofL students demand change during protest for transgender rights, BOZICH | Not the Senior Night that Louisville basketball expected. But this one, at El Mencho'scommand, had successfully set up shop atbreakneck speed in dozens and dozens of small towns and second-tier cities across America. If these people are funding the violence on the street as well as committing it, when the funding for that violence drives up the incentive for others is diminished, MPD Major Aaron Crowell said. She also ushered them to our building's basement. Right in front of us, El Mencho was building an American drug empire. Zaman Taylor, Devonzo Summers, and Barry Reed are each charged with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Ky. high school wrestling coach accused of attacking, threatening to kill wife. Crump is among the lawyers working with the family of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was shot dead while jogging in southern Georgia on February 23 after being pursued by Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, both of whom are white. Louisville, KY 40202. For a decade, The Courier Journal has documented Kentucky's battle with opioid addiction, which rose from over-prescribed pharmaceutical painkillers. . The gang members arrested last week have terrorized our communities for far too long, but they will be held accountable for their actions," FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said. "I think they shot Breonna," Walker told her, prompting Palmer to throw on some clothes and race out of her house for Taylor's apartment. In a Facebook post, officials . Johnson was being held on a $100,000 bond until a judge reduced it. 717 West Broadway Advertisement Court documents. August 21, 2013 Contact: Public Information Officer Number: (313) 234-4310 . tessa fowler 2017 "Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding her death, the Department has not provided any answers regarding the facts and circumstances of how this tragedy occurred, nor have they taken responsibility for her senseless killing.". Fentanyl is blamed for 52% of that total, propelling our commonwealth to a No. The indictment follows a criminal complaint previously filed in federal court against Eric Mosley. They seized more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine, two pounds of heroin, marijuana and. Counsel believes that police hit the door with a battering ram. Taylor's family described her as a kind and honest person who loved helping people in her role as an EMT. "We were hopeful that maybe this time rehab would work," Brenda said. Its not uncommon for politicians to place additional pressure on the chief of police to do something, so the politician has a record of tough stances and results when it comes to drug arrests. The United States also presented documents relating to phone records, hotel records and airline records. Violence is what makes a gang legitimate, and what theyre describing here, the narcotics, that funds the mission of violence, said LMPD Chief Erika Shields. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Louisville, KY 40202, Louisville: (502) 582-5911 "She had no drugs. At this point, the door suddenly explodes. Most importantly, not all of the charges will be warranted. As part of the investigation, police found a stolen vehicle, over $160,000 in cash, one kilogram of cocaine, meth and multiple firearms. They were arrested last week, more than two months after Arbery died; they face charges of murder and aggravated assault. Not all of the statements from confidential informants will be credible. A lock ( Stay up to date with what you want to know. HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - Wednesday morning, troopers with Kentucky State Police Post Hazard and deputies with the Leslie County Sheriff's Office arrested 14 people in a drug bust, with seven more . This is when and where corners get cut and rights get violated. The remaining seven are wanted for active indictment warrants. Its part of a story the WAVE Troubleshooters have been unraveling linked to the murders of 3-year-old Trinity Randolph and her father, Brandon Waddles. But our ambitious and in-depth reporting shows El Mencho's CJNG cartel was, by far, the dominant provider of that wretched poison at that time in Kentucky. We spent weeks ensuring not only accuracy but fairness in how we reported thiscomplex investigation. It also means I work to hold the police, detectives, agents and prosecutors accountable for their conduct. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. as well as other partner offers and accept our. WAVE Troubleshooters uncovered the gang is connected to famous Louisville rapper EST Gee. Main Office: I know my record, and yes, Im proud of it. Its grand-standing. The police said they returned fire after someone in the apartment shot at them, injuring an officer, The Associated Press reported. She spent months tugging at the threads of this story until El Mencho's secrets unraveled. As a Kentucky criminal defense attorney, my role is to make sure innocent people are not convicted of crimes they didnt commit. If you know the whereabouts of any of these names: 38-year-old Amanda Bowling of Essie, 37-year-old Roger Bowling of Thousandsticks, 39-year-old Donald Holden of Hyden, 56-year-old David Miniard of Wooton, 59-year-old Mikel Morgan of Stinnett, 49-year-old Robert Mitchell Morgan of Stinnett, and 52-year-old John Roberts of Stinnett; you are asked to call Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard at (606) 435-6069. 36-year-old Amanda Barrett of Stinnett, 28-year-old Nicholas Begley of Hyden. Both were lodged in the Floyd County Jail. Rob Eggert, a defense attorney for Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, said in a recent court filing that the police team two officers and one sergeant didn't knock or announce themselves when entering the apartment, the Louisville Courier Journal reported on Tuesday. (Facebook: LMPD) By Shellie Sylvestri Published: May. They had one question for her:"Who is sending all of this poison into our city? The delay of justice in Arbery's case has triggered waves of unrest and protests, as well as investigations into and calls for the resignations of local prosecutors. It was Warren, however, who spearheaded the investigation. "It just proves," Brenda told me as she left the newsroom, "how ruthless these (cartel . 17, 2022 at 1:14 PM PDT Official websites use .gov No editor has been more proud of his team's dedication to telling such an important story than I am. Prospect, Crestwood, Jefferson County, LOUISVILLE, Ky. The last of 26 defendants charged in the largest Jefferson County, Kentucky drug trafficking organization was sentenced in United States District Court this week, by Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson III, for his role in the distribution of cocaine, brought into the United States through a Mexican drug cartel, to metro Louisville for distribution, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. Warren wrote about Adam's addiction, his death and thedecision by his parents to tell their family's story; to serve as a witness to others who experienced remarkable grief and the loss of loved ones at the height of Kentucky's addiction crisis. Three people are still on the run, but the other seven are either in jail or out on bond. The process made this comprehensive package even better. New devices, new social media giants and new habits by digital-loving readers have forced us to change. I want them to say her name. Sheriff Hunt and deputies seized more than 100 grams of heroin, 300 grams of crystal meth, digital scales, a loaded handgun and other drug paraphernalia. Then he vanished, How this couple ran a redneck' meth empire in an Appalachian county ravaged by addiction, How a Mississippi trooper almost took down the world's most powerful cartel boss, Mother searches photos of mutilated dead men, hoping to find her abducted son. Dont ever think that politics doesnt enter into the decision on where police focus their attention, what they need to do to make arrests and how hard the prosecutors are going to push for convictions. I work hard for my clients and Im relentless in their defense. The 1,200 pounds of marijuana was in a semi that was driving into Louisville. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS "I want justice for her. I came to Louisville 18 months agoconvinced we should be one of the best media sites of our size in the country. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. It's part of a story the WAVE Troubleshooters have been unraveling linked to the murders of 3-year-old Trinity Randolph and her father, Brandon Waddles. Copyright 2021 WDRB Media. Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 10:59 PM EST | By WKYT News Staff. Adam was one of Kentucky's 1,566 overdose deaths in 2017. There are many top-notch defense attorneys. The. There's often weeks or months of planning. Have a question about Government Services? Meanwhile, it's been nearly two months since Taylor was killed, but her death gained more attention after the activist Shaun King shared her story on social media. Yes, CJNG, which formed just eight years ago, isone of several cartels thriving in Mexico. That doesn't mean the police will do it properly. Police say the. "Mr. Walker and Ms. Taylor again heard a large bang on the door. Have a question about Government Services? who allegedly traveled to a Florida clinic to get fraudulent prescriptions for the pain Second big drug bust in area Aug 23, 2002 was arrested in Louisville on drug trafficking charges city of Louisville, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $12 million to the family of. LOUISVILLE, Ky. One suspect remains at large following a federal drug bust linked to alleged gang activity in Louisville, and which led to several arrests. Not one person has explained anything to me," Palmer told The 19th. LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The last of 26 defendants charged in the largest Jefferson County, Kentucky drug trafficking organization was sentenced in United States District Court this week, by Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson III, for his role in the distribution of cocaine, brought into the United States through a Mexican drug cartel, to metro Louisville for distribution, announced David J. Hale . A pain-pill crackdown led to surging heroin abuse, followed by the more potent and deadly fentanyl. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. A lawyer involved in defending drug crimes knows that just because the authorities spend weeks, months and even years building a case, not all of the evidence is guaranteed to be admissible. . ", A complaint filed late last month by attorneys representing Taylor's family said that Walker fired one round in self-defense but that officers "failed to use any sound reasonable judgment whatsoever when firing more than 25 blind shots into multiple homes.". Palmer drove from the apartment to the hospital and back to the apartment in search of information about her child only to realize that Taylor had died. A major drug ring has been brought down with the arrest of 14 members of one of Louisville's "most violent . LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - Authorities in Louisville are investigating a drug bust where officials said they found enough narcotics to wipe out the entire city of Los Angeles. Louisville, Shelbyville, Elizabethtown, It wastargeting unsuspecting communities coast to coast, places off the beaten path from the major drug hubs and border cities that most of us know about. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Louisville Metro Narcotics Agents made a major drug bust involving six suspects and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of narcotics. Three of the suspects, Jones, Summers, and Reed, remain on the run. Rick Green is our editor and can be reached atrgreen@courierjournal.comor (502) 582-4642. Anyone having information regarding the whereabouts of these subjects may contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-CALL-FBI or 502-263-6000. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Ten Louisville residents have been charged as part of a bust targeting a Louisville drug trafficking organization, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. LOUISVILLE, Ky. ( FOX 56) - A partnership between Louisville Metro Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency led to the execution of another large drug bust on Monday. Building the Louisville drug pipeline The Prietos established the Louisville pipeline in 2016 after another one of Jose Prieto's sons befriended Wiley Greenhill while both were inmates at the. A large "WANTED" poster of El Mencho, and the $10 million reward that's on his head, is front and center. According to the DEA, 2 milligrams of fentanyl is believed to be fatal, and a kilogram of the drug has the potential to kill 500,000 people. Eric Mosley is charged with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. The three officers involved in the case have been placed on administrative leave, the Courier Journal said, while Walker, a licensed gun owner, was arrested and faces charges of first-degree assault and attempted murder of a police officer, according to The 19th. CJNG's objective is clear: Quickly expand its operations and reach to meet the surging demands ofdrug users. Investigators said the Everybody Shines Together gang was one theyve been working to cut off for quite some time at a press conference Wednesday. Follow him on Twitter: @KentuckyRAG. These recent busts are just the beginning. All rights reserved. Why would a Kentucky newsroom 2,000 miles from the headquarters of a ruthless Mexican drug lord named "El Mencho" spendnine months; commit 21 staffers; travel to Mexico, 15 American cities and five states; and produce nine stories,10 videos and one long-form documentaryto tell the story of his fast-growing and violent cartel? Drug stash large enough to kill 4 million people seized in Louisville At least 8.5 kilograms of fentanyl and 20,000 to 30,000 suspected fentanyl pills were confiscated during an LMPD/DEA search on a storage unit on May 16. Yet, she is dead, and the perpetrators are facing no charges.". Seven people were arrested as part of a drug gang take down, but three are still on the run. There are times when the police are called to a location and find drugs. She committed no crime. Floyd County Sheriffs Office K9 leads deputies to largest heroin bust to date, You will have to shoot me Suspect fights with deputy during arrest, Kentucky woman arrested after pointing gun at police, Laurel County woman threatens to kill deputy during arrest, Grammy award winning rock group coming to Ashland in May, KY gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron releases plan for educational framework, Country superstar Trace Adkins coming to Pikeville for Hillbilly Days concert, Large amount of drugs and cash found during two day investigation, Stolen cars recovered by police in two EKY counties. If there is an enemy among us, in Kentucky and at least 34 other states, all signs are pointing to El Mencho. She told The 19th that her goal was to remind people that Taylor was a victim she didn't have so much as a criminal record. Investigators said seven search warrants were obtained, resulting in the 20 arrests. In fact, they said it was one of the Drug Enforcement Administration's largest drug ring busts the agency is aware of in recent history. Paducah:(270) 442-7104. 0:19 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 17 pounds of cocaine is now off the streets in Louisville after a bust by Louisville Metro Police. Western District of Kentucky Lock As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Further, the United States proved that the Flores brothers, who operated out of California, supplied the cocaine through a cross-country distribution network originating in southern California and involved 24 co-defendants, living in and around the Louisville area. She also ushered them to our building 's basement belongs to an official government organization in United. Justice for her 40202, Louisville, KY were coming from confidential will. 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