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A nine-month investigation initiated by the local drug task force and other agencies beginning in June 2019 dubbed Operation Who's Next? resulted in 65 arrests related to meth distribution and firearms violations, Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence announced Friday.
Over 2,014 grams, or 4.44 pounds, of meth were seized along with 20 firearms in Hot Springs and Garland County, many of which were in possession of convicted felons prohibited by law from having firearms, Lawrence, project director for the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force, said in a news release.
"It's the largest we've done as far as the amount of drugs off the street," Deputy Prosecutor Trent Daniels, the DTF's legal commander, said Friday.
It's also one of the largest in terms of suspects arrested. Previous operations included Operation Blue Sky that ended in June 2019, resulting in 32 arrests; Operation Thunderstruck, in February and March 2017, that resulted in 40 arrests; Operation 8 Ball in 2016 that resulted in 49 arrests, and Operation White Horse in 2018 that resulted in 13 arrests.
The investigators involved "are out there working really hard, day in and day out," Lawrence said. "I'm proud of them."
As part of Operation Who's Next?, DTF agents began purchasing meth from a targeted group of individuals who were organized and led by a woman identified as Lessie Galo, 38, of Hot Springs. An investigation revealed Galo's group was suspected of transporting and distributing significant amounts of meth in the Garland County area, the release said.
Galo was also suspected of having ties with drug cartel members in Mexico and in Little Rock. The investigation of this organization ultimately led to the arrest of Galo and numerous other suspected leaders and distributors who were members of her criminal enterprise in Garland County.
Several members of the organization, including Galo, were recently indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Arkansas for violations related to the distribution of meth, Lawrence said.
As part of the operation, DTF agents began purchasing meth from a second organization led by a woman identified as Laurie Lee Hooks, 50, of Hot Springs, who was suspected to have ties to members of Mexican drug cartel members in Little Rock. The investigation revealed Hooks was suspected of arranging the transportation and distribution of significant amounts of meth in the area.
Hooks, along with several of her associates, were ultimately arrested in conjunction with this enforcement operation and also indicted by a federal grand jury for meth distribution violations, the release said.
A third organization led by John Rickey Stringer, 34, was identified by investigators during this operation. Stringer was suspected of arranging for the transportation and distribution of meth in the Malvern and Hot Springs areas by utilizing several associates within his organization.
DTF agents began purchasing meth from Stringer's associates and subsequently, Stringer, along with several suspected co-conspirators, were arrested and indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy and meth distribution violations.
Numerous other suspects not related to the Galo, Hooks, or Stringer organizations were also arrested in Garland County for meth and or firearms violations during this operation, Lawrence said, many of whom have previous felony convictions for narcotics sales. Some were out of jail on bond and continuing to sell narcotics in the area.
A total of 65 individuals face state or federal charges related to this investigation and operation, the release said.
The others arrested include O.V. Thomas, Dylan Hooks, Krista Graves, Paul Scaife, Casey Couch, Kenneth Traylor, Jose Galo, Terry Merriott, Joshua Tollett, Jason Finney, Michael Howell, Kenneth Garner, Steven Tucker, Derek Abernathy, Raymon Eastman, Nicholas Bland, Alfred Purifoy, Jerome Hunter, Aaron Grimmett, Brandon Stevens, Ernest Lemons, Amy Tucker, Brandon Stevens, Timothy Sheffield, Matthew Moore, Jelene Snyder, Toshia Thrasher, James Holliday, Haley Rudd, Corey Hewitt, Joshua Barnes, Nathan Reynolds, Kristen Hoff, Antone Costa, Chelsea Jackson, Tracy Steele, Darren Aringe, Bryan Thacker, Franklin Crist, Matt Cannon, Casey Bowser, Ryan Lax, David Ratchford, Cindy Williams, Evan Johnson, Rodney Whitaker, Kayla Johnston, Chris Ennis, Lee Cargile, Jerry Pierce, Joseph Morrison, Eric Davis, Keli Redden, Kevin Southworth, Cody Slyter, Jonathan B. Wilson, Buddy Harris, Nathan Tash, James Keyser, Justin Wetherington, Mandy Egge and Tyler Cable.
"Several additional subjects associated to this enforcement operation are not listed, as they are under active outstanding arrest warrants and are presently at large," Lawrence said in the release.
The DTF is comprised of investigators from the Arkansas State Police, Garland County Sheriff's Department, Hot Springs Police Department, 18th Judicial District East prosecuting attorney's office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
Other agencies that participated in the execution of this operation include Arkansas Community Correction's Special Response Team agents, the Drug Enforcement Administration of Little Rock, Community Corrections Probation and Parole agents and the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Arkansas.
"Criminal charges are only allegations of the violation of law and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law," the release said.
Local on 02/22/2020