To: All area news organizations
From: Sheriff Jon Hayden
Date: May 05, 2008
Re: Disposition of Organized Crime Investigation
Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy
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In early 2007, over 700 lbs of processed Marijuana was seized in Calloway County during a drug investigation headed by the Kentucky State Police.
McCracken County Sheriff's Detectives who assisted in that investigation then began identifying "dealers" connected to that organization that had "set up" business in the Paducah-McCracken County area. After identifying several additional dealers affiliated with the Marijuana distribution ring, McCracken Sheriff's detectives conducted a several week long very labor intensive investigation that included undercover type activities, which included the seizure of over $20,000 in U.S. Currency, Cocaine, and Marijuana. This clearly indicated an organized crime element to our immediate area involving drug trafficking. Many of these dealers got behind on paying their drug debts to their suppliers and owed them tens of thousands of dollars. They were paying the undercover officers thinking that they were part of the organization that they had been receiving the shipments of Marijuana from.
During this investigation, area drug traffickers paid undercover officers for previous shipments of Marijuana that had been fronted to them (given to them on credit). Many of the participants wanted more Marijuana. After sheriff's investigators obtained arrest warrants and felony indictments for at least nine (9) of the dealers, they planned a sting to net the dealers and enable them to take them into custody. A McCracken County Grand Jury on June 08, 2007 returned numerous felony indictments charging several of the suspects with engaging in organized crime.
Undercover officers had taken orders from many of the people under indictment for addition amounts of Marijuana, some ordering 50 or more pounds.
In an effort to "snag" these drug suspects and serve them with the felony indictment warrants, sheriff's detectives carefully planned a sting. The suspect's believed that another large shipment of Marijuana had arrived to fill the orders that they had placed.
A old abandoned farm house was utilized in western McCracken County (Fisher Road area) on June 19, 2007. Approximately 25 law enforcement officers and 15 or so other support staff met at the rural location. Hidden surveillance cameras were installed at the location. The suspect's (one at a time) were called and told that their Marijuana had arrived. The suspects would each arrive shortly thereafter to pick up their order. After paying for their Marijuana and/or negotiate the payment, they were given their product and then immediately arrested by 25 or so law enforcement officers (in camouflage) that were hidden in the immediate area. Hidden video camera's had been installed to record the operation. Each of the suspect's arrived at the location in a car except for one whom arrived on a motorcycle. During the operation, about eight (8) vehicles were seized. One of the suspects that had arrived, traded his 2000 Lincoln and $2500.00 in cash for 55 pounds of Marijuana.
During the sting at this rural location, all people arrested were transported by ATV to a field where a large tent had been set up by McCracken County Jailer Bill Adams. Interviews were conducted with the suspects in a camper that had been set up at the location. Two van loads of suspects were transported from the site later that day.
Nine people were arrested during this investigation.
A trial had been set in McCracken County Circuit Court for Monday May 05 at 9:00AM. Prior to the trial, several of the defendants had pled guilty, with the last two defendants pleading guilty on Friday May 02.
Defendants and recommended sentences: (Sentencing scheduled for July 30, 2008.)
1) Lydell Devon Staples 22 yoa of Lone Oak: 11 years on Organized Crime and 2 years on unrelated Marijuana Trafficking case.
After being released on bond from the organized crime arrest last June, he was rearrested in Feb 08 after being caught
delivering over a pound of Marijuana.
2) Kenyordo Q. Holland 25 yoa of Paducah: 13 years on Organized Crime and Marijuana Trafficking.
3) Jerry Compton 29 yoa of Kevil: 13 years on Organized Crime and Marijuana Trafficking.
4) Oscar Sandoval-Talamantes 37 yoa: of Calloway County Kentucky: 13 years on Organized Crime and Marijuana Traff.
5) Elaina D. Taylor: 20 yoa of Lone Oak: 5 Years on Complicity to Traff in Marijuana Over 5 Pounds
6) Brandon W. Graves: 30 yoa of LaCenter, Ky: 13 years on Organized Crime and Marijuana Trafficking.
7) Tony Mark Jones: 31 yoa of Paducah: 11 years on Organized Crime and Marijuana Trafficking.
8) Christopher J. Borgia: 28 yoa of Kevil, Ky: 11 years on Organized Crime and Marijuana Trafficking.
9) Winter Nicole Petway: 25 yoa of Calvert City, Ky: 5 years on Complicity to Traffick in Marijuana Over 5 lbs.
The investigation revealed in addition to large quantities being shipped into McCracken County, it also was being transported to Atlanta and North Carolina.
Forfeiture Hearings on approximate eight vehicles are to be scheduled....
"The magnitude of this investigation and the effect it has had on our drug trade locally, has been as meaningful as anything this agency has been involved in during the past 10 years."
"I also appreciate the hard work the McCracken County Commonwealth's Attorneys Office has put in to this case. Commonwealth Attorney Tim Kaltenbach, Asst. Comm Att Seth Hancock, Asst Comm Att. Jim Harris all have worked very hard to make sure we had a successful prosecution of these defendants."
"This case is a good example of how valuable it is for law enforcement agencies to work together, and share information. Drug Dealers do not care about county lines or city limit boundaries."
Agencies involved in this investigation and support agencies: Kentucky State Police, Calloway County Sheriff's Department, Lone Oak Police Department, Murray Police Department, Paducah Police Department, Ballard County Sheriff's Department, Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force, Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, McCracken County Commonwealth's Attorneys Office.
End of Release
Sheriff Jon Hayden
McCracken Co. Sheriff's Department