United States Attorney Leura G. Canary Middle District of Alabama

ELEVEN MEMBERS OF SUSPECTED CHILTON COUNTY
DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION ARRESTED

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA— Leura G. Canary, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, announced today that 11 suspected members of a drug trafficking organization based primarily in Chilton County, Alabama, were arrested this week. From February 16, 2007, through February 21, 2007, agents and deputies with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, and Chilton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cliff Johnson, 61, of Clanton, Alabama; Charles Craig, 58, of Clanton, Alabama; Kowosky Tywan Christian, 28, of Clanton, Alabama; Christopher Iman Ulmer, 30, of Clanton, Alabama; Darryl Lamont Brown, 32, of Marbury, Alabama; Darnell Montreze Brown, 24, of Verbena, Alabama; Rodrigez Childres, 25, of Maplesville, Alabama; Roger Walton, 36, of Prattville, Alabama; James Earl Hubbard, 44, of Clanton, Alabama; James Calvin Talley, 26, of Clanton, Alabama; and Wilmont Timothy Barnett, 29, of Clanton, Alabama.

Demetrious Terrell Pegues, 39, of Macomb Township, Michigan; Terrence Antwan Jerome Newkirk, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama; and William Earl Ulmer, 39, of Clanton, Alabama, are also alleged to be members of this drug organization, but were not arrested as they are presently in jail on other charges. Two suspected members of the drug trafficking organization remain at large, namely, Cecillo Pacache, 32, of Los Angeles, California, and Demetria Mills, 32, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

These arrests stemmed from a 32-Count federal indictment returned by a federal grand jury sitting in the Middle District of Alabama against the 16 individuals. The indictment charges that in the Middle District of Alabama, Michigan, California, Texas, South Carolina, Louisiana, and elsewhere, the 16 defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of crack cocaine and over 5 kilograms of cocaine powder, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.

Counts Two through Thirteen of the indictment charge distribution and possession with the intent to distribute varying amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine. Counts Fourteen through Thirty-two charge that the defendants used a telephone to commit, cause or facilitate the drug trafficking conspiracy that was charged in Count One.

“This investigation serves as notice throughout the Middle District of Alabama: Federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to work cooperatively to disrupt and dismantle illicit drug organizations,” stated U.S. Attorney Leura Canary.

Sherri Gonzalez, of the Drug Enforcement Administration, stated, “This investigation is a great example of what happens when all law enforcement agencies work together with one common goal; in this case, to dismantle a particular group of traffickers in the Clanton, Chilton County area who have been putting drugs on the street for far too long.”

Sheriff Kevin Davis, of Chilton County, stated, “These cases are good for Chilton County and the safety of our people. I am thankful of the work between all the agencies involved in this case.”

If convicted of Count One, the defendants face a sentence of at least 10 years in prison and at most life imprisonment, a fine of not more that $4,000,000, or both the fine and the imprisonment. The punishment for Counts Two through Thirteen varies based on the amount of drugs either possessed with the intent to distribute or actually distributed. The penalties for Counts Fourteen through Thirty-two are not more than four years incarceration, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both the fine and the imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, the National Guard Counter Drug Program, and various other federal and local law enforcement agencies.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clark Morris.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.