GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Jimmie “Peanut” Butler was sentenced May 9, 2019, to 262 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for his role in a sprawling heroin and cocaine conspiracy that flooded the Holland area and Upper Peninsula with deadly drugs. Butler, the sixth and final defendant in the case, was convicted of conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and distributing cocaine and cocaine base, with the drug ring operating from as early as 2011 until its takedown in July 2017.
The conspiracy, which imported heroin from Chicago into western Michigan, has been tied directly to a wave of overdoses and at least one fatal overdose. Federal prosecutors say the operation preyed on addiction for profit, turning neighborhoods into zones of dependency and despair. The charges stem from an August 15, 2017 superseding indictment that brought down a network responsible for distributing kilogram quantities of heroin across multiple jurisdictions.
“In the face of the opioid epidemic, the U.S. Attorney’s Office aggressively pursues those who poison our communities with heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge. “This outcome is the result of the cooperation of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which have jointly worked to investigate, charge and incarcerate those who take advantage of addicts for profit and spread heroin addiction.”
Local officials hailed the dismantling of the ring as a critical win. “The City of Holland has been significantly impacted with numerous overdoses and deaths as a result of the opioid epidemic,” said Captain Rick Walters of the Holland Department of Public Safety. “This case is an example of local, state, and federal agencies collaborating together to protect and serve our local community. The Holland community has been positively impacted by the joint effort of all those involved.\”
D/F/Lt. Andy Fias, Section Commander of the Michigan State Police – West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET), emphasized the ongoing threat posed by such trafficking organizations. “We utilize all tools available in fighting this epidemic. In the Butler case, we worked with our federal law enforcement partners to target this large drug trafficking organization that was plaguing the community with deadly drugs. Our collaboration again proved successful in holding those responsible accountable for their illegal trafficking.\”
The other five conspirators have already been sentenced: Charles Oakley (156 months), Corey Gross (46 months), Jimmy Moore (33 months), Michael McKinley (24 months), and Monique Molina (24 months). The investigation was conducted by WEMET, the Holland Department of Public Safety, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sally J. Berens and Timothy VerHey handled the prosecution.
Related Federal Cases
- Joey Cracks Gets 20 Years for Buffalo Heroin and Fentanyl Ring · Michigan
- Holland-Area Heroin Trafficker Gets 10 Years · Michigan
- Michaelo Merone Gets 50 Months for Heroin Distribution · Michigan
- Detroit Heroin Dealer Gets 6.5 Years in WV · Michigan
- Marquis Tamal Quinton Evans Gets 3 Years for Heroin Trafficking · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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