Federal Grand Jury Indicts Eleven in Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On April 2, 2019, a federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a single count indictment against the following individuals for their roles in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in the Eastern District of Tennessee and elsewhere:

• Darrle Wade Harris, 54, of Knoxville, Tennessee
• Cordarryl Wade Harris, 27, of Knoxville, Tennessee
• Ronald Anthony Thompson, 29, of Detroit, Michigan
• DeAirrus Jamar Taylor, 28, of Plymouth, Michigan
• Deshawn Lee Greene, 24, of Detroit, Michigan
• Jamal Mylen McDonald, 22, of Detroit, Michigan
• Raynell Eugene McDonald, 49, of Detroit, Michigan
• Raphiel Antwon Thompson, 28, of Detroit, Michigan
• Robert Lee-Rogener McDonald, 28, of Romulus, Michigan
• Keith Madison, 53, of Detroit, Michigan
• Sherard Ramon Taylor, 32, of Detroit, Michigan

The indictment, which was recently unsealed and is on file with U.S. District Court, alleges that each of these individuals was involved in a conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and/or 40 grams or more of fentanyl in the Eastern District of Tennessee and elsewhere. 

Trial is currently set for June 18, 2019, before the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, U.S. District Judge. 

If convicted of the heroin and fentanyl distribution conspiracy charge, each faces a minimum mandatory term of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000,000.

The ongoing investigation leading to the indictment was the product of a partnership between the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Fifth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Blount County Sheriff’s Department, Maryville Police Department, Alcoa Police Department, Sevier County Street Crimes, Sevierville Police Department, Sevier County Sheriff’s Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Knoxville Police Department, Ninth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Wood County, Ohio, Prosecutor’s Office, FBI, ATF, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Quencer will represent the United States in court proceedings.  

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation is a result of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

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