MANSFIELD — A drug sweep that Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz termed the biggest in his 24 years in the community isn’t over yet.
The METRICH Enforcement Unit reported Wednesday afternoon that 13 more suspects are being sought in connection with a probe that stretched from California to Georgia, Chicago to Louisville and exploded in Mansfield on Wednesday morning.
There were 26 suspects already in custody with a dozen still at-large as of 3:45 p.m., according to a press release issued by METRICH Enforcement Unit. The list of suspects still at-large includes: Lennon Hayes, 44; Dorthea Burton, 34; Willie Feagin, 62; Rickelle Fields, 24; Deon Gamble, 34; Michael Ginn, 28; Cupree Howard, 39; Edward Jones, 39; Marico King, 40; Keith Maddox, 38; Lewis Pinkston, 40; Damon Slaughter, 41; and Joseph Ware, 20.
“We already know who we are going after next,” Coontz said during a multi-agency task force press conference. “So if you are a drug dealer inside Richland County, I highly suggest you start moving out of Richland County very rapidly because you be on our list next, and that list has already started.”
During the search warrants, investigators seized over 2.2 pounds of cocaine, approximately 550 grams of heroin, over 2.2 pounds of marijuana, 12 firearms and over $12,000.00 in U.S. currency. The listed numbers are preliminary as there are still on-going searches, METRICH reported.
Numerous law enforcement agencies reported 39 federal indictments were served on Wednesday. Authorities say between 250 and 300 agents were involved in Wednesday’s raids, which encompassed a ring that law enforcement tracked from California to Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, to Georgia to Mansfield.
“We are trying to cut off the availability of drugs in our community,” Coontz said. “This is going to make a large impact.
“There always seems to be someone else waiting in the wings to pick up where others have left off. Our community is still the same.”
Authorities said those already in custody include: Amanda Huffman, 28; Antoine Jefferson, 39; Ashley Kriedman, 28; Brian Nowell, 44; Bronson Jones, 43; Cardoves Haslett, 34; Corey Motley, 36; Demond Steele, 45; Ericka Fortner, 27; James Alexander, 32; Jacquis Mordica, 26; Jon Martel Jefferson, 40; Kevin Burton, 41; Larry Ferguson, 41; Marcus Garmon, 32; Mazzarney Hardy, 28; Tara Jones, 29; Michael Sloan, 60; Natasha Brookins, 34; Vanness Oliver, 39; Roberto Calderon, 36; Shadawn Smith, 25; Shakela Williams, 23; Shantia Crawford, 27; Steve Hollins, 42; and Terrance Jones, 25.
Two separate conspiracies led to the raids which included the FBI, DEA, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Office and the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office among other agencies.
U.S. Attorney Ava Dustin said a large-scale supplier from Chicago and a large-scale supplier from California brought drugs to the community.
“These defendants are part of a large-trafficking drug network,” Dustin said. “They have caused pain and suffering here in Mansfield.”
Drew DeCerto, Chief Deputy of the U.S. Marshal’s Office said the agencies will continue their pursuit for the individuals involved no matter what course the investigation takes.
“What we’re asking is anyone with information on their location to provide that to us and we have a phone tip line,” DeCerto said. “Award money is available for information that leads to an arrest.”
The phone tip line is 866-4-WANTED. The text tipline is Keyword WANTED in front, followed by the message, then TIP411.
Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon lauded the cooperation between the agencies and noted no one was hurt in a sweep that included six swat teams and agents acting on 15 search warrants.
According to search warrants, the probe dated to June of 2015.
“It appears this was a successful (investigation) that was targeting two separate operations,” Coontz said.
According to officials, the sweep netted two separate drug networks that were “interconnected a little bit.”
“Anytime you take 39 drug dealers off the street it will make a dent in the drug trade,” said Special Agent Todd Krajeck, of the FBI. “It’s a pretty darn good day; 39 federal indictments is pretty large for Mansfield especially, for any city.
“It’s a great day.”
