A federal grand jury in Des Moines has indicted five individuals on charges related to fentanyl trafficking. The indictment is the result of a joint state and federal investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization operating in the Des Moines area.
The individuals charged include Devonte Darnell Hassell, also known as "Domo," "Dom," and "Rose," aged 28, who faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted, he could receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. Ryan Redmond, also known as "Chiefy," aged 31, is similarly charged and faces a potential sentence ranging from five years to 40 years.
Kevin Stanley Harris, Jr., referred to as "Rylo" and "Big Hands," aged 42, is charged with similar offenses but could face a harsher penalty due to a prior serious drug felony conviction. His potential sentence ranges from 10 years to life imprisonment. Adonis Angel Devora, aged 43, and Ricky Jamall Ellis, aged 30, are both charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Devora faces up to 20 years in prison while Ellis could be sentenced up to 30 years.
The arrests occurred on December 18, with four individuals apprehended in Des Moines and one in Houston, Texas. On the same day, authorities executed thirteen federal search warrants resulting in the seizure of approximately 610 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, about 135 grams of methamphetamine, around 260 grams of marijuana, along with nineteen firearms and over $13,000 in cash.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal announced the charges. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Des Moines Police Department; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI Des Moines Central Iowa Gang Task Force (CIGTF); Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE); Iowa State Patrol; United States Marshals Service; Ames Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force (MINE); Polk County Sheriff's Office; Story County Sheriff's Office; Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force (MIDTF); Central Iowa Drug Task Force (CIDTF); Suburban Emergency Response Team (SERT); Metro Special Tactics and Response (STAR); Chicago Police Department; and Houston Police Department.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level drug traffickers using a collaborative approach among various law enforcement agencies.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.