A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging 15 Memphis, Tennessee, residents for their involvement in an organized drug trafficking scheme.
According to court documents, between November 2023 and June 2024, the defendants allegedly worked together, and with others, to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana throughout the Memphis area. During the investigation, agents recovered two stolen vehicles and seized 29 firearms, five machine gun conversion devices (known as “switches”), over $4,000 in cash, approximately 938 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 541 grams of fentanyl, approximately 200 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and 26.43 pounds of marijuana.
The indictment charges the following 15 defendants:
- Brian Lackland (34): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, and marijuana; possession of firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes; being a felon in possession of firearms.
- Paul Nelson (31): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and over 500 grams of methamphetamine; being a felon in possession of firearms.
- Ebony Cobb (41): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
- Jerrod Cox (31): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Darius Moore (38): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Edgar Smith (38): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Mervin Anderson (38): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Courtney Davis (28): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Timothy Achols (36): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Jehu Cruz (23): Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl; possession of firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes.
- Mohamed Samba (24): Conspiracy to distribute marijuana; possession of firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes.
- Prentiss Broadway (33): Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Braxton Beck (32), Darion Allen (28), Delifarroe Goins (29): Federal firearms offenses; being a felon in possession of firearms.
If convicted, the defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Defendants charged with distributing methamphetamine face a maximum penalty of ten years. The defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl face mandatory minimums ranging from five years up to life imprisonment depending on the amount distributed. Those charged with possession of firearms during drug trafficking crimes face mandatory minimums starting at five years up to life imprisonment.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; FBI; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Multi-Agency Gang Unit; Memphis Police Department; Bartlett Police Department; and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Amanda Kotula and Aaron Henricks from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal Oldham for the Western District are prosecuting.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Memphis Violent Crime Initiative conducted alongside local law enforcement agencies aimed at addressing violent crime through federal prosecution where appropriate. This initiative dedicates resources towards prosecuting violent offenders while supporting intervention efforts addressing root causes.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.