Sheldon ISD teacher among 17 arrested in FBI raid related to drug and gang activity in Houston area

HOUSTON – U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani, along with representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, announced Thursday several arrests related to drug and gang activity in the Houston area.

According to Hamdani, a total of 20 people have been charged in connection with the investigation. 17 were arrested this week and the other three are already in custody.

While the arrests were primarily related to federal drug and weapons offenses, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told KPRC 2 that they believe the suspects may be linked to a rise in murders and aggravated assaults in the Houston area between 2020 and 2022, and their arrests could help solve some of those cases.

“One of them, Alfred Jacoby Green, alias Kobe, is allegedly a documented member and one of the leaders of a gang called 'Rich Kingz', which is predominantly located in the south and southwest of the city,” Hamdani said.

Hamdani said Green and the Rich Kingz are alleged to be connected to other criminal networks in the Houston area. The other people arrested are also believed to be connected to or part of the Rich Kingz. Authorities say the gang is responsible for drug trafficking and violent crimes in the Houston area as well as several murders.

With the arrest of these suspects, police say there is new hope for some unsolved cases.

“W“We know that yesterday's arrests will help our investigators understand the connections in several cases, including unsolved murders. We also hope that yesterday's arrests will reassure some people and encourage them to share important information with us, information they may have been afraid to share before,” Doug Williams, special agent in charge of the FBI in Houston, said at a news conference.

Among those arrested is a third-grade teacher from Sheldon ISD, identified as Jessica Ferguson, who was still teaching when she was arrested Wednesday. Also among those arrested were a Memorial Hermann Hospital employee and a Harris County Corrections officer.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the FBI told Houston that Ferguson was caught on a court-approved wiretap allegedly conducting drug deals during class.

“Yesterday she was called in by the director and arrested,” Hamdani said.

Sheldon ISD released the following statement regarding the teacher’s arrest:

“Sheldon ISD is aware of a police investigation and the recent arrest of a Sheldon ISD teacher. Due to privacy laws, the district is limited in its ability to release all information regarding the allegations and the teacher. The district confirms that the arrest did not occur in the presence of students. The district has placed the teacher on administrative leave. The district expects all of its employees to comply with state and federal laws, and the district is fully cooperating with law enforcement during the ongoing investigation. As always, the safety and well-being of all Sheldon ISD students and our district community remains our top priority.”

Here is a list of all the defendants and the charges against them: