Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid more powerful than morphine. Illicit use of the drug is on the rise across the country, as is the number of overdose deaths involving the drug. Authorities announced charges against 49 people linked to fentanyl trafficking in Arkansas on Wednesday.
Cody Hiland, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, said three separate investigations led to charges being filed this month. As part of the investigations, more than 3.5 pounds of fentanyl were recovered and three drug trafficking organizations were dismantled. The investigation began in June 2018.
In June 2018, the FBI began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Williams and his associates. After conducting two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Williams, agents applied for and received a wiretap for his phone. Agents intercepted hundreds of calls and text messages between Williams and other distributors of fentanyl and heroin in the central Arkansas area according to federal authorities.
Five people are fugitives in the Williams case: Mathes Anthony Tillinghast, Jonte Marie Williams, Coluntae Devon Smith, Malcom Xavier Medley and Austin Taylor Phillips. 12 defendants were arrested after the unsealing of a federal indictment, which charges 17 defendants with 37 counts that include federal drug and firearm offenses. In addition to the twelve defendants who were arrested, four were already in state custody. One defendant, Jamie Goff, is a fugitive and remains at large.
During the course of the investigation in 2018 and 2019, the DEA utilized court-authorized wiretaps to intercept hundreds of drug-trafficking calls from Darrell Walls, alleged to be one of Kelley’s main distributors. Law enforcement officers conducted 23 controlled purchases or seizures of drugs, resulting in seizures of more than 500 grams of fentanyl, as well as heroin and methamphetamine, three firearms, and more than $18,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
Agents seized approximately 1,100 grams of fentanyl, or a heroin-fentanyl mix; approximately 450 grams of marijuana, and approximately 1,000 doses of MDMA. In addition to the drugs, law enforcement seized almost $7,000 in cash and over $34,000 in assets including jewelry and cars, and nine firearms, three of which were AR-15s.
