An indictment charging four men in a drug-trafficking conspiracy based in Calhoun County was unsealed, U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. announced on July 24.
A 12-count indictment charges Theron Samuel Johnson, Jeffrey Leon Battle, and Toney Courtez Jenkins, all of Anniston, Alabama, and Samuel Lane Jr., of Oxford, Alabama, with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana between November 2023 and April 2026. The indictment also includes several counts of distribution. Lane and Jenkins were additionally charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and being felons in possession of firearms.
The indictment includes special grand jury findings regarding the amount of methamphetamine attributable to the defendants as part of the alleged conspiracy. It alleges that all four are responsible for at least 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing detectable amounts of methamphetamine. Enhanced penalties are sought based on prior convictions for several defendants: Johnson was previously convicted on multiple federal drug charges; Battle was previously convicted for Conspiracy to Levy War Against the United States stemming from efforts to join the Taliban after September 11; Lane was previously convicted twice for first-degree robbery.
The investigation was led by the Homeland Security Task Force with assistance from several law enforcement agencies including the United States Postal Inspection Service; local police departments from Anniston and Oxford; state agencies; county sheriff’s office; and others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison J. Garnett is prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force brings together agents from federal law enforcement agencies such as Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and Internal Revenue Service—coordinated by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Alabama—which covers Birmingham and Huntsville among other areas, according to its official website. This office serves over 2.8 million people across 31 counties in Alabama through facilities located in Birmingham and Huntsville; it prosecutes federal crimes including those involving drugs or firearms offenses while also defending civil cases involving federal interests.
An indictment contains only charges—a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.