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Press Release

Complaint Unsealed Charging 19 Gang Members and Associates with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Oklahoma
Defendants Alleged to Have Used Contraband Cell Phones to Traffic Drugs from Prison

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – A 16-month joint investigation has resulted in a criminal complaint unsealed yesterday afternoon charging 19 gang members and associates with conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and heroin, announced Mark A. Yancey, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. 

On Thursday, July 14, 2016, law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD), Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS), and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) executed multiple federal arrest warrants related to this investigation.  The charged individuals are:

# Name Age Address

1

Richard Joseph Coker

33

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

2

Richard Lee Potts

38

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

3

David Dean Cagle

34

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

4

Chad Nathen Hudson

36

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

5

Christopher Paul Brown

28

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

6

Gary Holden Schneider

29

OKC, OK

7

Angela Renee Harlan

38

Tulsa, OK

8

Robinson Rene Garcia-Aguirre

28

Oklahoma County Jail

9

Eyner Mora Esparza

23

Oklahoma County Jail

10

Tenesia Diane Rodriguez

36

OKC, OK

11

Aisha Bliss Donaldson

27

OKC, OK

12

Zane P. Yargee

22

Oklahoma County Jail

13

Daryl Lloyd Ivey

28

Oklahoma County Jail

14

Nika Deandre Davis

24

OKC, OK

15

Devon  Alan Herron

23

OKC, OK

16

Margie Lee Barnhill

28

Newcastle, OK

17

Ricky Lynn Wolfe

37

Tulsa, OK

18

Amanda Heather Holland

43

Oklahoma County Jail

19

Jeremy Antowaine Taylor

34

Oklahoma County Jail

According to the criminal complaint affidavit, agents and task force officers conducted a joint investigation of the leadership of a gang that utilizes contraband cell phones within the prison and the cooperation of outside associates to operate a drug-trafficking operation. According to the complaint affidavit, a number of investigative techniques were used in this investigation, ranging from the use of cooperating defendants and sources, to controlled buys, consensually recorded telephone calls, court-authorized wire and electronic interceptions, and the execution of search warrants. It is alleged that these techniques consistently showed the existence of an extensive conspiracy to distribute large amounts of controlled substances across Oklahoma City and other parts of the state. It is alleged that more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, firearms, and large amounts of U.S. currency have been seized during this investigation.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI, DEA, ATF, OBN, OCPD, IRS, and the ODOC.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David McCrary and Kerry Blackburn.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Reference is made to court filings for further information.

Updated July 15, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking