Federal Grand Jury Returns 38-Count Indictment Charging Methamphetamine and Firearms Offenses

Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on May 17, 2023, charging eight Louisville men with multiple methamphetamine distribution and firearms offenses.   

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Dominique Lewis, 22, Bryan Foster, 28, Phillip Shoulders, 23, Laron Broome, 23, Erick Richie, 28, Chance Rogers, 22, Coreion Toogood, 26, and Devontae Lindsey, 25, all of Louisville Kentucky, are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as October 17, 2022, and continuing through March 29, 2023, the defendants conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. 

Lewis is also charged with twelve counts of distribution of varying amounts of a methamphetamine mixture, six counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Lewis was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On August 3, 2020, in Shelby Circuit Court, Lewis was convicted of theft by unlawful taking (two counts) and criminal mischief in the first degree (two counts). On August 3, 2021, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Lewis was convicted of receiving stolen property, criminal mischief in the first degree (two counts), wanton endangerment in the first degree, and fleeing or evading police in the first degree. On March 10, 2022, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Lewis was convicted of theft by unlawful taking.

Foster is also charged with five counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture, three counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Foster was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following domestic violence cases. On August 2, 2016, in Henderson District Court, Foster was convicted of assault in the fourth-degree domestic violence minor injury. On May 23, 2017, in Henderson District Court, Foster was convicted of assault in the fourth-degree domestic violence minor injury.

Shoulders is also charged with three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Shoulders was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On January 2, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Shoulders was convicted of wanton endangerment in the first degree (three counts) and receiving a stolen firearm.

Broome is also charged with one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Broome was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offense. On May 13, 2022, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Broome was convicted of receiving stolen property.

Rogers is also charged with two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. 

Richie, Toogood, and Lindsey are each also charged with one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. 

Defendants Foster, Shoulders, Broome, Richie, Toogood, and Lindsey recently made their initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Defendants Lewis and Rogers are in state custody and will make their initial appearances later. If convicted, the defendants face a minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.   

This case is being investigated by ATF, DEA, IRS-CI, and the Louisville Metro Police Department. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Porter is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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