United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

TWELVE ARRESTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES FOR RUNNING
PCP, ECSTACY AND MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY
NEAR A DALLAS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Twelve Others Arrested Face State Felony Charges

DALLAS — Twelve of 16 alleged members of a PCP, MDMA (ecstacy) and marijuana trafficking organization operating in Dallas were arrested this weekend on charges outlined in a federal indictment returned last month by a federal grand jury in Dallas and unsealed this morning, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. An additional defendant was arrested on a federal criminal complaint for being a felon in possession of a firearm and 12 additional defendants were arrested and charged at the state level.

All defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP), 3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), and marijuana and various substantive counts. Two of the defendants, Ricky Gyrone Williams and Chakedra Johnson, a/k/a “Kedra,” were also charged with distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance in or near a school for distributing PCP within 1000 feet of Maynard Jackson Middle School which is located at 2929 Stag Road in Dallas. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation which would require the defendants, upon conviction, to forfeit 15 vehicles, including Cadillacs, Infinitys and Lincoln Town Cars.

Those charged in the indictment and arrested include:

Ricky Gyrone Williams, 38
Shawn Joseph McKenzie, 37
Gregory Deon Jones, 29
Barron Keith Fields, a/k/a “Twin,” 33
Buford Charles Malone, 37
Shamvell Antijuan Williams, a/k/a “Chub,” 27
Montez Antonio Ashby, a/k/a “Dafro,” 30
James Edward Crawford, Jr., 27
Chakedra Johnson a/k/a “Kedra,” 35
Lakendra Irene Avery, a/k/a “Kendra,” 22
Antonio Dewayne McFail, 33
Roy Lee Harris, 58

 Also charged in the indictment, but not yet arrested, are:

Stacey Orlando Thompson, 35
Terrence Emmanuel Rone, a/k/a “T-Rone,” 22
Willie Ray Beard, a/k/a “T-Bird,” 40

Defendant Ward Alexander Jones, Jr., 33, of Dallas, was arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. All of the defendants arrested on federal charges remain in custody and will appear this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez for their initial appearance.

During the course of the execution of the arrest and search warrants, approximately 2.75 gallons of liquid PCP, with an approximate street value of $320,000 was found; approximately 4000 ecstacy pills, with an approximate street value of $40,000 was found; and 30 pounds of marijuana, with an approximate street value of $24,000 was found. Nearly $30,000 in cash, numerous firearms, and nine vehicles were seized.

According to the indictment, the defendants would acquire the drugs and use stash houses known as “traps” to store the drugs and their cash gained from the sales. Some of the defendants “worked the door” at certain “traps” to restrict entry to only certain customers and to act as “look outs” to avoid law enforcement, or engage in counter surveillance when drug transactions were occurring. They also acted as “look outs” at other times to keep watch on each other and the stash locations so as to be aware of any law enforcement presence.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each of the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five nor more than 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the excellent investigative efforts of the Dallas Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert is prosecuting the case.

###