Seventeen Charged in Poly-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Spanning Multiple States

Jackson, TN – Seventeen individuals have been charged in federal court with operating a multiple–state drug trafficking organization. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the unsealing of the federal criminal complaint today.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal enterprises that distribute harmful drugs into West Tennessee can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the gangs in order to dismantle their drug trafficking organizations and remove them from our streets. I commend the outstanding investigative efforts by DEA and our state and local law enforcement partners in this important and impactful case."

The following individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana into and throughout West Tennessee. In March 2019, a DEA investigation was initiated in the Jackson, Tennessee area. Investigators used wiretaps along with other surveillance, confidential sources, traffic stops, search warrants, and gang intelligence to investigate this drug trafficking organization. Agents seized 106.5 lbs. of methamphetamine (ice), 500 fentanyl pills, and an additional 1.25 lbs. of fentanyl, and 3.5 grams of heroin. Each defendant’s role in the drug trafficking conspiracy is outlined in the criminal complaint:

Methamphetamine Conspiracy:

• Terry Smith, a/k/a "Ali," a/k/a "Cockeye", 33 of Lauderdale County (TDOC Custody)

• Rodney Ayers, a/k/a "P-Rod," 47 of Shelby County

• Horace McNeary, a/k/a "HB," 35 of Henry County

• Brianna Norsworthy, 23 of Calloway County, Kentucky

• -SEALED-

• Dustin Chambers, a/k/a "SNOW," 35 of Madison County

• Anthony Hines, a/k/a "BYRD," 41 of Shelby County

• Kayla Henderson, 28 of Shelby County

• Teddy Reed, a/k/a "PT," 40 of Shelby County

• Jermichael Buggs, 33 of Shelby County

• -SEALED-

• Danielle Cunningham, 35 of Shelby County

• Aerielle Coleman, 31 of Shelby County, and

• James Dumas, a/k/a "DOO DOO," 45 of Shelby County

Fentanyl Conspiracy:

• Terry Smith, a/k/a "ALI," a/k/a "COCKEYE"

• Rodney Ayers, a/k/a "P-ROD,"

• Anthony Hines, a/k/a "BYRD,"

• Kayla Henderson

• Teddy Reed, a/k/a "PT," and

• James Dumas, a/k/a "DOO DOO"

Cocaine Conspiracy:

• Rodney Ayers, a/k/a "P-ROD,"

• Anthony Hines, a/k/a "BYRD,"

• Teddy Reed, a/k/a "PT"

• Jermichael Buggs

• -SEALED-

• Michael Broady, 49 of Shelby County

• -SEALED-

• Tracy Coleman, 49 of Shelby County, and

• James Dumas, a/k/a "DOO DOO"

Heroin Conspiracy:

• Terry Smith, a/k/a "ALI," a/k/a "COCKEYE

• Rodney Ayers, a/k/a "P-ROD,"

• Horace McNeary, a/k/a "HB,"

• Kayla Henderson,

• Teddy Reed, a/k/a "PT,"

• -SEALED-, and

• James Dumas, a/k/a "DOO DOO"

Marijuana Conspiracy:

• Terry Smith, a/k/a "ALI," a/k/a "COCKEYE

• Rodney Ayers, a/k/a "P-ROD,"

• Anthony Hines, a/k/a "BYRD,"

• Kayla Henderson

• Teddy Reed, a/k/a "PT"

• Jermichael Buggs

• Michael Broady and

• James Dumas, a/k/a "DOO DOO"

Further investigation revealed that Terry Smith a/k/a "Ali," a/k/a "Cockeye", Chief of Security for the Vice Lords street gang, arranged large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl to be shipped into the Western District of Tennessee from Texas and Arizona. He utilized a large distribution network that ranged from Western Kentucky to Northwest Mississippi. Smith was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service while in TDOC custody at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary, and transferred to federal pre-trial custody.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); West Tennessee Drug Task Force; Jackson Police Department; Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit; Madison County Sheriff’s Department; Paris, Tennessee Police Department; Henry County Sheriff’s Department; Murray, Kentucky Police Department; Kentucky State Police; Arkansas State Police; Tennessee Department of Correction Office of Investigations & Compliance (TDOC-OIC); and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. Each charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law. The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date to consider an indictment against the defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

###