A federal grand jury in Louisville has returned a superseding indictment against three men accused of conspiring to kill and ultimately murdering a federal witness. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett, along with officials from various law enforcement agencies.
The indictment charges Anyelle Curtley, Sr., Delrico Nelson, and Antoyne Penick with conspiracy to tamper with and retaliate against a witness or informant by killing. It alleges that between December 28, 2023, and January 31, 2023, the defendants conspired to prevent Victim 1 from testifying in an official proceeding and from communicating information related to a federal offense.
According to the indictment, Curtley Sr. and Nelson are also charged with aiding each other in the murder of Victim 1 through the use of a firearm while assisting in a federal investigation.
This indictment supersedes previous charges filed on March 5, 2024, which included drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses involving multiple defendants such as Carl Delph and others. These charges involved distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Additional charges were filed on March 5, 2024, against Christopher Curtley and Penick for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. Penick also faced charges for possessing a firearm during drug trafficking activities despite previous felony convictions.
Curtley Sr., Nelson, and Penick have appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judges following their arrests on these charges. They remain detained pending trial. If convicted of the murder-related offenses alleged in the superseding indictment, they face potential sentences ranging from death to life imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by several law enforcement agencies including the DEA, FBI, HSI, ATF, IRS-CI alongside local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Dahl and Josh Porter are leading the prosecution efforts.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
An indictment represents allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.