Stephen Lamar Gadson Led Pot Trafficking Ring

Seven people from Birmingham, Alabama, including ringleader Stephen Lamar Gadson, 38, were arrested this week in connection with a sprawling marijuana trafficking conspiracy that spanned more than three years. The arrests follow a superseding 12-count federal indictment charging Gadson, Lynn Darnell Gadson, Jr., 32, Ryan Jamal Washington, 31, Keoni Keith Gaddy, 30, Erica Jacinda Gadson, 30, Cormisha Ketua Quinn, 24, and Janacia Latrice Thomas, 28, with conspiring to possess and distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana between January 2016 and March 2019. The operation relied on smuggling bulk cannabis from California to Birmingham via commercial airline flights.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF, the investigation uncovered a well-organized network moving massive quantities of marijuana across state lines. U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town stated, ‘These arrests are the result of a long-term investigation by our law enforcement partners.’ He emphasized the danger of armed drug traffickers, adding, ‘Guns and drugs are a volatile mix, as well as a problem for the Northern District of Alabama, which we will continue to do everything within our power to stop.’

Stephen Lamar Gadson is accused of leading the conspiracy and faces multiple firearm charges. In January 2019, ATF agents and Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies found a firearm in his vehicle during an arrest on a 2016 state marijuana trafficking warrant. That warrant stemmed from a violent 2016 incident in which Gadson allegedly shot a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy during a narcotics search. The federal indictment includes charges that Gadson discharged a firearm during a drug trafficking crime—a count carrying a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence, to be served consecutively.

Lynn Darnell Gadson, Jr. and Ryan Jamal Washington are each charged as felons in possession of a firearm, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Stephen Gadson was separately indicted in February 2019 on a felon-in-possession charge. Additionally, Gadson, Washington, Erica Gadson, and Cormisha Quinn are charged with money laundering—each count carrying a maximum 20-year sentence.

Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the ATF highlighted the broader impact of the takedown: ‘These indictments represent the long term enforcement efforts by ATF and area law enforcement. As a result, the violent criminal acts that plague our neighborhoods have been reduced.’ The case was jointly investigated by the Irondale Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Birmingham Police Department, and Oxford Police Department.

The mandatory minimum sentence for possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms of marijuana is five years in federal prison. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Assistant United States Attorney John Geer is prosecuting the case. If convicted, several defendants could face decades behind bars, especially due to the mandatory consecutive sentences tied to firearm use during drug crimes.