Federal authorities arrest 34 Kentucky citizens in dismantling interstate drug trafficking ring

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Thirty-seven people, including 13 from Louisville, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of being part of an interstate drug trafficking ring.

On August 6, a federal grand jury in Louisville handed down five indictments against the 37 defendants, 34 of whom are from Kentucky, charging them with trafficking meth, cocaine and fentanyl. In addition to the 13 defendants from Louisville, 19 of the defendants are from the Owensboro area, one is from Lexington and three are from California, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky.

The first indictment charges 14 people with conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to resell. Federal prosecutors say the 14 defendants committed a conspiracy to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine with intent to resell as early as March 2023 and through August 5, 2024.

The persons charged in this indictment are:

• D’Andre Williams40, from Adelanto, California,
• Elmondo Elliott55, from Los Angeles, California,
• Desmond Knox50, of Menifree, California,
• Juan Truss42, from Louisville,
• Rayshawn Spearman Sr.39, from Louisville,
• Rayshawn Spearman, Jr.26, from Louisville,
• Brandon Arnold42, from Louisville,
• Antonio Arnold44, from Louisville,
• Dwayne Evans35, from Louisville,
• Melanie Surrell45, from Louisville,
• Antonio Evans, 42, from Louisville,
• Davonte Hoskins28, from Louisville,
• Gardner Webb31, from Louisville, and
• Tanaya Lee23, from Louisville.

The indictment also charges Williams, Truss, Spearman Sr. and Elliott with possession of 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture with the intent to resell and possession of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine with the intent to resell.

The second indictment accuses eight defendants each of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Prosecutors say this occurred as early as March 2023 and lasted until August 5, 2024.

The following persons are named in the indictment:

• Richard Boarman48, from Owensboro,
• Joshua Estap40, from Owensboro,
• Justin Riley41, from Owensboro,
• Bobby Douglas56, from Lexington,
• Jamie Voyles44, from Owensboro,
• Gregory Nuckols61, from Owensboro,
• Zacharias Nance44, of Utica, Kentucky, and
• Hope Warsinsky39, from Owensboro.

The third indictment charges three Owensboro residents each with conspiracy to possess meth with intent to resell. Federal prosecutors say the trio attempted to distribute 50 grams or more.

These suspects were identified as follows:

• Cameron Jackson24, from Owensboro,
• Damone McGuire29, from Owensboro, and
• Tyler Vinson32, from Owensboro.

Jackson is also charged with possession of 50 grams or more of meth and 40 grams or more of fentanyl with the intent to resell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The fourth indictment charges eight people each with conspiracy to possess meth with the intent to resell. Prosecutors say the suspects conspired to possess 50 grams or more of meth with the intent to resell.

• Jason Salyer50, from Louisville,
• Julia Parrish53, from Owensboro,
• Jonathan Hawkins43, from Owensboro,
• Jeramey Hawkins46, from Owensboro,
• Timothy Roach37, from Owensboro,
• Charles Nelson41, of Utica, Kentucky,
• Joe Turner46, of Owensboro.

According to federal prosecutors, the four people charged in the fifth indictment conspired to possess 50 grams or more of meth with the intent to distribute.

They were identified as follows:

• Diana Miranda38, from Owensboro,
• Deandre Williams27, from Louisville,
• Timothy Roberts46, from Owensboro, and
• Shalonna slaughters57, of Owensboro.

According to the U.S. Attorney, 31 of the suspects have had their first court appearance before a U.S. justice of the peace in Kentucky or California. The remaining six are in state custody and will appear in court at a later date.

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