Operation Family Feud

21 ST. JOSEPHS RESIDENTS AMONG 25 DEFENDANTS INDICTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING, FIREARMS VIOLATIONS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that 21 St. Joseph, Mo., residents are among 25 defendants who have been indicted by a federal grand jury in six separate but related cases as a result of a large-scale investigation of illegal narcotics and firearms trafficking in the St. Joseph area.

Operation Family Feud, which began two years ago in October 2010, was a partnership between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force. Numerous firearms and various quantities of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana have been seized or purchased during the investigation.

“This successful investigation by local and federal law enforcement partners was an effective response to the increase in violent crime in the St. Joseph area,” Ketchmark said. “We are determined to make the community a safer place by taking illegal guns and drugs off the streets. We will vigorously prosecute those whose criminal activity endangers our neighborhoods.”

More than 100 law enforcement officers were involved in an arrest and search warrant operation on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. Fifteen defendants were arrested, in addition to three defendants where were already in custody on unrelated charges. Agencies participating in the operation included ATF’s Special Response Team, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong said, “I am extremely proud of the partnership between our agencies throughout this long term investigation. This joint effort demonstrates that we will utilize every resource to take criminals off the streets of Buchanan County.”

“This has been a long and complex investigation involving close coordination and cooperation between our agencies. While our comments are limited at this time, we are proud of the collaboration, which is making our community safe,” said St. Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally.

“This indictment is the perfect example of what happens when agencies join together to fight violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Marino F. Vidoli. “The St. Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, working together, took the initiative to partner with ATF to take a stand against violence in their communities.”

Each of the six indictments was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. They were unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants.

USA v. Johnson, et al

Terrance A. Johnson, also known as “Skurge,” 32, Jaron M. Ewing, also known as “Pork,” 19, Elliott D. Ross, also known as “El,” 20, Anthony M. Busey, also known as “Bew” or “AB,” 33, Markanthony T. Greer, also known as “Nate,” 29, Donald J. Greer, also known as “DJ,” 32, Anthony A. Wilson, also known as “Tone Loc,” 26, Jarrodd D. Page, also known as “JP” or “Pistol,” 22, Keyon R. Wilkinson, also known as “Key” or “Lovey,” 20, Dareal S. Green, also known as “DG,” 25, Jamie G. Beattie, 51, and Susan A. Thomas, also known as “Mama Sue,” 55, all of St. Joseph, Mo., and Tyrell W. E. Page, also known as “Relby Gunz” or “Young Gunna,” 26, of Gladstone, Mo., were charged in a nine-count indictment.”

Each of the 13 co-defendants is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and five kilograms or more of powder cocaine between Jan. 1, 2009, and Oct. 17, 2012.

In addition to the conspiracy, Johnson is charged with one count of possessing powder cocaine and crack cocaine with the intent to distribute in Buchanan County. Wilson is also charged with two counts of distributing crack cocaine in Buchanan County. Tyrell Page, Jarodd Page, Busey and Ewing are each charged with one count of distributing crack cocaine in Buchanan County. Thomas is also charged with one count of making her apartment available for the purpose of unlawfully distributing crack cocaine.

USA v. Brooks, et al

Jamayal M. Mannings, also known as “Mal” and “Slim,” 27, Lavorisa D. Carolina, also known as “BoBo,” 29, Felix D. Turner, also known as “Lil Fe,” 22, Andre M. Turner, also known as “Dre,” 24, and Cordell A. Wilson, also known as “B-Loc” and “BB,” 23, all of St. Joseph, Larry Brooks, also known as “Unc,” 45, of Raytown, Mo., Jaron T. Smith, 26, of Durango, Colo., and Earl Penn, also known as “Lil Earl” and “Lil E” and “Marko,” 21, address unknown (state of California), were charged in a three-count indictment.”

Each of the eight co-defendants is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and five kilograms or more of powder cocaine between Jan. 1, 2009, and Oct. 17, 2012.

In addition to the conspiracy, Jamayal Mannings is charged with possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute in Buchanan County. Carolina is also charged with distributing crack cocaine in Buchanan County.

USA v. Wilson

Cordell A. Wilson, also known as “B-Loc” and “BB,” 23, of St. Joseph, Mo., was also charged in a separate six-count indictment returned by the grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

The federal indictment alleges that Wilson, who has been convicted of a felony, was in possession of a loaded Cobra .380-caliber handgun in June 2012, and in a separate count charges Wilson, who is not a licensed firearms dealer, engaged in the business of dealing in firearms on that day.

The federal indictment also alleges that Wilson was in possession of a loaded Walther .380-caliber handgun with a partially defaced serial number in June 2012, and in a separate count, that he engaged in the business of dealing in firearms on that day.

The federal indictment also alleges that Wilson was in possession of a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun in August 2012, and in a separate count that he engaged in the business of dealing in firearms on that day.

USA v. Esters

Keith T. Esters, also known as “LG,” 42, of St. Joseph, was charged in a one-count indictment. The federal indictment alleges that Esters distributed crack cocaine in St. Joseph in June 2011.

USA v. Wilson

Malcom Wilson, also known as “Boo Loc,” 21, and Isaac R. Banks, also known as “Ike,” 24, both of St. Joseph, Mo., were charged in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

The federal indictment alleges that Wilson, who is not a licensed dealer of firearms, engaged in the business of dealing in firearms on two separate occasions in June and July 2011.

The federal indictment alleges that Banks, who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, was in possession of a loaded Lorcin 9mm handgun in June 2011. A separate count of the indictment charges Banks, who is not a licensed firearms dealer, with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms on that day. The indictment also charges Banks with illegally possessing a CBC .22-caliber rifle with a partially defaced serial number.

The federal indictment charges Wilson and Banks together in one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms in June 2012.

USA v. Caroll

Barrett J. Carroll, also known as “B,” 28, of St. Joseph, was charged in a four-count indictment. The federal indictment alleges that Carroll, who has been convicted of a felony, was in possession of firearms on four separate occasions. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Carroll was allegedly in possession of a loaded Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol in September 2011, a Norinco 7.62 x 39mm rifle in October 2011, a loaded Mauser 9mm pistol in October 2011 and a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol in December 2011.

Ketchmark cautioned that the charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jalilah Otto. They were investigated by the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force.