TWO SUSPECTS INDICTED BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY IN CONNECTION WITH SHOOTING DEATH IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK LITTLE ROCK
Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; Grover Crossland, Resident Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and North Little Rock Police (NLRPD) Chief Danny Bradley announced a Superseding Indictment was unsealed December 21, 2011 charging Durrell Alexander Hill, age 21, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Labrons Dominique Ellington, age 21, of North Little Rock, Arkansas with multiple charges in a drug conspiracy.
The Superseding Indictment handed down by a Federal Grand Jury December 6, 2011, charges Hill and Ellington with four counts: 1) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; 2) possession with intent to distribute marijuana; 3) aiding and abetting one another in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime; and 4) conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime. Hill faces an additional charge of felon in possession of ammunition.
“This investigation demonstrates the commitment of local and federal law enforcement agencies to cooperatively work toward the common goal of combating drug-related violence in our neighborhoods,” stated Thyer. “The combined efforts of the North Little Rock Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives allowed the United States Attorney’s Office to bring charges that, if found guilty, will remove these two drug dealers from the neighborhoods they preyed upon for a very long time.”
According to the Superseding Indictment and testimony at Hill’s initial appearance yesterday, on May 24, 2011, at approximately 1:34 a.m., North Little Rock Police Officers responded to a 911 call from the 6700 block of Delhaven in reference to shots fired. When officers arrived, they found a white Buick parked in the driveway of 6701 Delhaven with a unidentified deceased black male lying in the rear seat of the vehicle. The victim was identified as Charles Duran Edwards Jr., age 30, of North Little Rock. An investigation was initiated by the NLRPD and with the help of the ATF, Hill and Ellington were identified as participating in a drug deal at that address in which shots were fired. Ellington was initially indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on November 1, 2011 along with an “unindicted coconspirator.” Subsequently, Hill was added to the Superseding Indictment that was filed December 6, 2011.
Ellington was arrested on the original Indictment and made his initial appearance and detention hearing on November 4, 2011. Ellington made his initial appearance on the Superceding Indictment December 13, 2011. Hill was arrested and made his initial appearance December 20, 2011. Hill’s detention hearing was December 21, 2011. Hill and Ellington are both in Federal custody awaiting trial.
Hill and Ellington face not more than five (5) years imprisonment, a fine $250,000, or both for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. For possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime where the firearm is discharged, they face not less than ten (10) years imprisonment and not more than life imprisonment, a fine $250,000, or both. Conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime carries a possible sentence of not more than twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine $250,000, or both. If convicted, Hill could also receive a sentence of not more than ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The case is on-going and we cannot comment on any other possible charges at this time.
The investigation was conducted by the North Little Rock Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Jane W. Duke and Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Mazzanti.
An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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