LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal grand jury in Louisville has indicted 37 people from Kentucky and California in a massive drug trafficking operation.
The Department of Justice said there are five separate indictments involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking offenses and firearms offenses.
Seventeen of the 37 people charged are from Louisville, authorities said.
All the suspects, except for four, have been arrested or are in custody, officials said.
If convicted, each defendant, aside from one person, faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Here’s a breakdown of the cases and suspects’ charges:
Trafficking meth and cocaine
According to the first indictment, 14 people are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
Officials said between March 2023 and August 5, 2024, the individuals possessed and planned to distribute 50 grams or more of meth and five kilograms or more of cocaine.
D’Andre Williams, 40, of Adelanto, California,
Djuan Truss, 42, of Louisville,
Rayshawn Spearman Sr., 39, of Louisville,
Elmondo Elliott, 55, of Los Angeles, California,
Desmond Knox, 50, of Menifree, California,
Rayshawn Spearman Jr., 26, of Louisville,
Brandan Arnold, 42, of Louisville,
Antonio Arnold, 44, of Louisville,
Dwayne Evans, 35, of Louisville,
Melanie Surrell, 45, of Louisville,
Antionio Evans, 42, of Louisville,
Davonte Hoskins, 28, of Louisville,
Gardner Webb, 31, of Louisville, and
Tanaja Lee, 23, of Louisville.
Williams, Truss, Spearman Sr., and Elliott are also charged with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
Authorities seized cardboard boxes with more than 250 pounds of meth and 12 kilograms of cocaine after Kentucky State Police saw Williams and Truss conduct a drug transaction at a Love’s gas station in Shepherdsville.
Distributing meth in Kentucky
A second indictment charged eight suspects with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamines between March 2023 and August 5, 2024.
Richard Boarman, 48, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Joshua Estap, 40, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Justin Riley, 41, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Bobby Douglas, 56, of Lexington, Kentucky,
Jamie Voyles, 44, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Gregory Nuckols, 61, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Zachariah Nance, 44, of Utica, Kentucky, and
Hope Warsinsky, 39, of Owensboro, Kentucky.
Meth, fentanyl and firearms in Kentucky
Three more Kentuckians are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamines between March 2023 and August 5, 2024.
Cameron Jackson, 24, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Damone McGuire, 29, of Owensboro, Kentucky, and
Tyler Vinson, 32, of Owensboro, Kentucky.
Jackson is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Authorities found he had several firearms despite being convicted of numerous felonies charged in 2019, including second-degree manslaughter.
He is the only defendant facing a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
More meth trafficking charges
Eight people are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to the fourth indictment.
As early as March 2023 through Aug. 5, 2024, authorities said the suspects conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
Jason Salyer, 50, of Louisville,
Julia Parrish, 53, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Jonathan Hawkins, 43, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Jeramey Hawkins, 46, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Timothy Roach, 37, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Charles Nelson, 41, of Utica, Kentucky, and
Joe Turner, 46, of Owensboro, Kentucky.
According to a fifth indictment, four people are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment says they planned to distribute 50 grams of meth or more between May 2023 and Aug. 5, 2024.
Diana Miranda, 38, of Owensboro, Kentucky,
Deandre Williams, 27, of Louisville,
Timothy Roberts, 46, of Owensboro, Kentucky, and
Shalonna Slaughters, 57, of Owensboro, Kentucky.