Two Springdale Men Sentenced to More Than 36 Years Combined in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

FAYETTEVILLE – Two Springdale men were sentenced yesterday to more than 36 years combined in federal prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District in Fayetteville.

According to court documents, in June 2024, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force (4th JDDTF) learned that defendants, Latrell Devontae Richmond, 29, and Lucky Bannavong, 26, were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and pressed fentanyl pills in the Springdale, Arkansas area and elsewhere. During the subsequent investigation, Detectives encountered Bannavong, who was on parole with the state of Arkansas, and found him in possession of a loaded firearm, methamphetamine, and a large amount of cash. The investigation further revealed that both Richmond and Bannavong were storing methamphetamine and fentanyl at Richmond’s Springdale apartment. Thereafter, Detectives with the 4th JDDTF obtained and executed a search warrant on Richmond’s apartment. Inside the apartment, Detectives found approximately 1,233 grams of methamphetamine; 3,136 fentanyl pills; approximately 165 grams of marijuana; a loaded semi-automatic pistol; and United States currency.

Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2025, and both pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in February of this year. Bannavong was sentenced to serve 235 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Richmond was sentenced to 200 months in the Bureau of Prisons.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.