Larry S. Stoker and Calvin L. Trahan have been detained and charged with conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. They were apprehended in Nashville, as reported by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“Our law enforcement partners work diligently every day to stop loads of illegal drugs from reaching our citizens,” said McGuire. “The arrests of the defendants and the seizure of fifty kilos of cocaine as well as over a quarter of a million dollars in cash the latest result in our consistent efforts to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our communities.”
The arrests came as a result of a drug investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). This operation targeted individuals involved in large-scale drug trafficking in the Nashville area. Investigators identified individuals such as Deshawn Jones, also known as Deshaune Jones, and Stoker, who have previous convictions. Jones was convicted of racketeering in 2012; Stoker was convicted of distributing cocaine in Texas in 2010 and is currently on federal supervised release.
On April 15, 2025, agents observed Jones pick up Stoker from Nashville International Airport and transport him to a hotel. Later that night, Trahan, who has a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, was seen arriving at the same hotel in a vehicle with a Texas registration. The following day, agents observed Stoker unloading heavy bags from Trahan's vehicle. Shortly after, Jones and Stoker were seen leaving a hotel room with these bags and a blue suitcase. When confronted by law enforcement, Stoker and Jones dropped the luggage and attempted to flee. Stoker was captured, while Jones was shot by a DEA agent during the incident.
Upon investigation, agents found approximately fifty kilograms of packaged cocaine and over $250,000 in cash in the bags and suitcase. Based on their findings, it appeared that an exchange of cash for drugs took place. Trahan was subsequently detained in the hotel.
If convicted, Stoker and Trahan face a minimum of ten years in federal prison, up to life imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The shooting incident is under review by both the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the DEA, as confirmed by McGuire. “The Metro Nashville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will conduct their own separate reviews of the agent-involved shooting,” McGuire confirmed. “Once those reviews are concluded, I have asked them to share their findings with our office for appropriate action.”
The ongoing investigation involves the DEA and the TBI, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Wehby. All charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.