NASHVILLE – In a stunning blow to the drug trade in Tennessee, eleven members of a drug trafficking conspiracy have pleaded guilty for their roles in distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana across multiple states. United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis announced the charges against the ring, which has been operating out of Columbia, Tennessee, and Santa Rosa, California.
Defendants include Davontay Holt, 30, from Columbia; Ricardo Molinero-Alcarez, 29, from Santa Rosa, California; Khyre McClain, 21, from Columbia; Marcus Johnson, 26, and Ethan Kimes, 22, both from Columbia; Jahari Armstrong, 22, and Jaydan Armstrong, 22, also from Columbia; Mathew Cox, 28, from Santa Rosa; Tristain Orr, 24, from Columbia; Jonny Rodriguez-Gonzalez, 25, from Elmira, California; and Quortez Duncan, 36, from Columbia. Each of these men faced serious charges for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.
According to charging and plea documents, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were investigating the distribution of methamphetamine, marijuana, and counterfeit fentanyl-laced Oxycodone tablets with the inscription “M30” that were being shipped from Santa Rosa, California, to Tennessee and over a dozen other states. Surveillance and social media reviews identified members of the drug network, leading to multiple search warrants executed in Columbia, Tennessee.
HSI agents seized thousands of counterfeit fentanyl-laced Oxycodone tablets and over eight pounds of methamphetamine from a UPS Store in Sebastopol, California, on July 25, 2022. Additional packages intercepted on August 9, 2022, contained more than 472 grams of the counterfeit tablets and approximately four pounds of methamphetamine.
The defendants are set to be sentenced before United States District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr., in spring 2025. Those charged with distributing fentanyl, meth, and marijuana could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine, while those involved in the distribution of counterfeit fentanyl-laced Oxycodone tablets may receive life sentences and fines reaching $10,000,000.
This investigation was conducted by DEA, HSI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency, and Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ahmed Safeeullah and Rachel Stephens are prosecuting this case.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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