9 Indicted on Federal Drug Charges in West Tennessee

Memphis, TN – Nine people have been indicted for their roles in two separate drug rings responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, oxycodone, and marijuana in West Tennessee.

On Thursday, June 11, Taquita James, Tavious Jones, Martavious Taylor, Marcus Moore, Brandon Heard, and Fredrick Burton were all indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Taylor, Moore, Heard, and Burton were also indicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana.

On the same day, in a separate indictment, Antonio Montgomery, Dylon Chambers, and Kirby Jackson were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The Memphis Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU); United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit (OCU) conducted an investigation of the defendants.

Agencies who assisted with arresting the defendants on Wednesday, June 17, were the Memphis Police Department; Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; Bartlett Police Department; Collierville Police Department; Germantown Police Department; Tipton County Sheriff’s Office; United States Marshals Service; ATF; and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Search warrants were executed on 10 residences identified during this investigation. During the round-up, officers seized:

• Approximately $30,000

• 1 SKS rifle, 2 handguns

• 1 pound of methamphetamine

• 2 kilograms of cocaine

If convicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, James, Jones, Moore, Burton, Heard and Taylor face up to 20 years imprisonment. They also face a fine of up to $1 million.

If convicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana, Taylor, Moore, and Burton face up to five years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine.

If convicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, Montgomery, Chambers, and Jackson face up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000.

Defendants Taquita James and Fredrick Burton have been released on bond. The remaining defendants will appear before Magistrate Judge Charmiane Claxton on Monday, June 22, for detention hearings.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reagan Taylor and Michelle Kimbril-Parks are representing the government in these cases.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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