United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that an indictment returned in July 2011 has been unsealed charging nine individuals with using the United States mail to facilitate drugtrafficking, conspiring to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and a firearms offense.
The following individuals are charged in the indictment:
Name, Residency:
Steve Buckner (33) Milwaukee
Thompson Cunningham (32) Milwaukee
Jarrell Henry (29) Milwaukee
Britany Jackson (20) Milwaukee
Aubrey Jordan (26) Milwaukee
Kenneth Lyons (48) Milwaukee
Eric Murray (37) Milwaukee and Houston, TX
Mausette Williams (29) Milwaukee
Schivon Young (26) Milwaukee
Murray, Henry, and Cunningham are charged with a drug conspiracy in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). If convicted of this offense, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison; a fine of up to $5,000,000; and between four years and life on supervised release. In addition, all nine defendants are charged with using the United States Mail to facilitate marijuana distribution in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b). If convicted of this offense, they face up to four years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release. Finally, Steve Buckner is charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). If convicted of this offense, he faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
The defendants were charged after a lengthy investigation by the Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA) and United States Postal Inspection Service. The Milwaukee HIDTA consists of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, detectives, and special agents.
Seven of the defendants were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday; one was previously in custody for violation of parole in a state offense. The remaining defendant, Thompson Cunningham, remains at large.
The following agencies participated in the arrests this week: United States Postal Inspection Service, Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, West Allis Police Department, and the Milwaukee Metro Drug Enforcement Group.
The investigation is part of an ongoing, long-term effort by law enforcement to target individuals who use the mail to ship controlled substances. This investigation was initiated in 2010 based on the inspection of a series of suspicious parcels that were shipped from the Houston, Texas, area to numerous locations across Milwaukee. The organization involved multiple defendants who received packages of marijuana via United States mail. These defendants then are alleged to have distributed the marijuana in and around Milwaukee.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget J. Domaszek of the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, United States Department of Justice.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
For additional information contact:
Assistant United State Attorney Bridget J. Domaszek Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig (414) 297-1700
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