25 people facing federal charges in connection with drug trafficking in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (KYOU) Twenty-five defendants are facing federal criminal charges as part of a joint federal and state investigation of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana drug trafficking organization.

Most of these defendants were arrested on November 18, 2020, during the execution of 45 federal search warrants in and around Des Moines. Those warrants resulted in the seizure of 37 firearms, three pounds of cocaine, one ounce of methamphetamine, 18 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 ounces of heroin, and approximately $50,000 in cash.

The defendants are charged across three criminal indictments and eight criminal complaints with federal drug or firearms offenses:

Jerome Valentino Wilson, 32, of Des Moines
Derek Shantell Thompson, 41, of Des Moines
Kenee L. Triplett, 39, of Des Moines
Cory Andrew Turner, 33, of Des Moines
Coty Arnez Turner, 31, of Des Moines
Daryl Stephen Jones, Jr., 45, of Des Moines
Jerome Jamar Hall, 35, of Des Moines
Ornandes Raeshon Bennett, 41, of Des Moines
Antoine Moishawn Williams, 49, of Des Moines
Dewayne Allen Haynes, 40, of Des Moines
Marcus Antonio-Shay Hall, 25, of Des Moines
Kenny Eugene Smart, Jr., 47, of Des Moines
Michael Lindell Teasley, 32, of Des Moines
Jerron Tandre Johnson, 30, of Des Moines
Nolan Hamilton-Allen, 32, of Des Moines
Richard Lee David Brown, 45, of Des Moines
Anthony Levon Robinson, Jr., 35, of Des Moines
Leon Dale Edwards, 36, of Des Moines,
Leroy Williams II, 50, of Des Moines
Terry Eugene Hambrick, 40, of Des Moines
Damir Halkic, 32, of Urbandale
Keiffer Michael Simmons, 28, of Des Moines
William Lloydellton Speed, Jr., 27, of Des Moines
Amanda Raye Reed, 40, of Des Moines
Tyler James Althaus, 34, of Des Moines

United States Attorney Krickbaum stated, “These arrests had a specific target: those accused of carrying guns, slinging drugs, and endangering our community. We look forward to proving these charges in federal court. And we are grateful to our law enforcement partners, who took almost 40 guns and many pounds of drugs off the streets of Des Moines.”

“ATF has no higher priority than investigating violent crime and ensuring that those who use firearms in furtherance of their criminal activities are held accountable. This investigation demonstrates ATF’s commitment and the commitment of our law enforcement partners to ensure that the Des Moines communities remain a safe place to live, work and raise families. Utilizing firearms to injure or intimidate others cannot be tolerated and there is no question that Des Moines is safer today because of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of all of the agencies that played a part in this investigation,” said James Ferguson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division.

Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert added, “The size and magnitude of this operation speaks for itself, but the most important aspect is the impact it will have on violent crime and the distribution of illegal drugs in our community. This will absolutely move the needle in terms of restoring the safe environment that our citizens deserve and affirms the commitment to use all available resources to preserve this expectation. This was truly a team effort, and we can’t thank our Local, County, State and Federal partners enough for their unwavering dedication and commitment to ensuring that our most dangerous criminals are held accountable for selfishly and intentionally compromising the safety and security of the wonderful people that call this region ‘home.’ Our commitment to serve extends beyond jurisdictional lines, and our collective efforts will be on- going.”

All defendants arrested on November 18 have or will soon appear in federal or state court on the charges. The charges carry maximum penalties of five years to life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.