15 people arrested, federally charged for drug trafficking operation

Megan Fayard
·3 min read
4

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A law enforcement operation targeting a drug organization in the northeast Arkansas area resulted in the arrest of over a dozen people on federal charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Arkansas, 15 people were arrested and charged Tuesday in connection to a drug organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine.

The investigation, part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation, began in August 2022. A Grand Jury returned numerous indictments on April 2, 2024, which named several people who are charged with various drug, money laundering, and firearm offenses.

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On top of the 15 individuals arrested, arrest warrants were also served on two people who were already in federal custody and one in state custody.

According to reports, prior to Tuesday’s arrests, the investigation led to the seizure of 45 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of marijuana, one pound of cocaine, six firearms, various ammunition, and approximately $28,000 in suspected drug money.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, with help from multiple other agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jonesboro Police Department, Arkansas State Police, and Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office.

Charges in Tuesday’s unsealed indictments include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines, conspiracy to money launder, money laundering, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that the minimum penalty for the drug charges is not less than 10 years imprisonment, and a $10 million fine. Also, the minimum penalty for possession of a firearm in connection to a drug trafficking crime is not less than five years in prison, up to life imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.

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Below is a list of the defendants who have been charged and are in custody. They are set to appear in court on Thursday for plea and arraignment.

  • Cesar Cortez-Rocha, 51, Misson, Texas

  • Amado Barranco, Jr. aka “Myo”, 55, McAllen, Texas

  • Bobby Franklin Barber, 60, Jonesboro

  • Misty Dawn Barber, 38, Jonesboro

  • Jamie Lynn Patterson, 40, Jonesboro

  • Amie Dawn Eggers, 39, Jonesboro (already in federal custody on other charges)

  • Carey Wayne Peden, 46, Little Rock

  • Vance Allen Brown, 56, Hot Springs

  • Sir Edward Lee Qualls aka “Buddy”, 35, Earle (already in federal custody on related charges)

  • Reginald Bogan aka “Smooth”, 37, Jonesboro

  • Melissa Bradley, 33, Jonesboro (already in custody on state charges)

  • Jerry Crump, 55, Jonesboro

  • Sandi Stanfill, 59, Paragould

  • Delisha Pugh, 25, Earle

  • Jennifer Jones, 37, Brookland

  • William Jones, 28, Harrisburg

  • Marcus McIntyre, 42, Memphis, Tennessee

  • Harthoner Goforth, 38, Paragould

  • Shauna Rutledge, 37, Hughes

“So many lives and communities have been destroyed by drugs and with today’s arrests, fifteen drug dealers have been taken off the streets,” said Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Where drugs are present, so are firearms and violence. Working with our federal, state, and local partners to keep our citizens safe from the violence that too often accompanies drug trafficking, will help to create safer communities for citizens in the Eastern District of Arkansas.”

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