St. Louis, MO – In a shocking turn of events, 18 individuals have been arrested in connection with a 20-count federal indictment, charging them with various drug trafficking offenses and violent crimes, including murder, that occurred throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area over the last fourteen years.
The indictment, which remained sealed until today’s arrests, revealed a disturbing pattern of violence and drug trafficking in the city. The individuals in custody at this time are: JOSE ALFREDO VELAZQUEZ, a Texas resident, ADRIAN LEMONS, ANTHONY JORDAN, DWAYNE RAINEY, JUAN RAMON GARZA, a Texas resident, LUIS FERNANDO CANTU, a Texas resident, LARON COLEMAN, LOUIS FELTON, CLARENCE MILLER, DEMETRIUS O’NEAL, MAURICE WOODSON, GREGORY KNOX, LARRY BOYD, and GLORIA WARD, all from the St. Louis area unless otherwise noted.
The arrests are part of an ongoing effort by the “Mission SAVE Initiative” to reduce violent crime in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Mission SAVE, a hybrid task force established in December 2014, consists of personnel from the FBI, DEA, St. Louis County Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office, the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Additional assistance in this investigation came from agents with Homeland Security, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven to be guilty. The Mission SAVE Initiative has been working tirelessly to bring an end to the violent crime plaguing the city, and today’s arrests are a significant step in that effort.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to wonder about the scope of the violence and the extent of the drug trafficking operation. The St. Louis Metropolitan Area has been plagued by violent crime for years, and it remains to be seen whether today’s arrests will bring about the desired change.
The indictment and subsequent arrests serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime on our communities. It is our hope that this effort will bring justice to the victims and their families and serve as a deterrent to those who would perpetrate such heinous crimes.
The full extent of the investigation and the charges against the defendants will be revealed in court proceedings. In the meantime, the people of St. Louis can take some comfort in knowing that the authorities are working diligently to make their community a safer place.
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- St. Louis Cocaine Ring: Five Busted in Major Drug Bust · Texas
- St. Louis Cocaine Ring Busted: Five Men Arrested in Massive Drug Bust · Texas
- Latricia Newell Gets 4 Years for St. Louis Gift Card Scam · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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