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

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:

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.