One Defendant Remains at Large
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced that, yesterday morning, law enforcement arrested nine residents of Muskegon, Michigan on multiple federal drug trafficking charges, including selling methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
Approximately 35 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers executed the arrest warrants and multiple search warrants throughout Muskegon and Muskegon Heights. Investigators seized approximately 339 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 113 grams of fentanyl, 93 grams of heroin, and small quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine. Investigators also seized six handguns, jewelry worth approximately $20,000, and more than $20,000 in cash.
The men arrested and their charges include:
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Zachary John Kennedy, a/k/a “Zeus" (age 31) - one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of aiding and abetting in the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine;
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Brent Wilkerson, a/k/a “Pay" (age 28) - one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and four counts of distribution of heroin;
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Delando Johnson, a/k/a “Fox" (age 28) - three counts of distribution of heroin;
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Carl Johnson, a/k/a “Orangebone," a/k/a “Bones" (age 42) - three counts of distribution of cocaine base (crack) and one count of aiding and abetting in the distribution of cocaine base (crack);
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Courtney Harris, a/k/a “Money" (age 31) - one count of distribution of cocaine base (crack);
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Daris Jefferson, a/k/a “Smoove" (age 32) - one count of distribution of heroin;
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Alezay Coleman, a/k/a “Zay" (age 23) - one count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and
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Malik Jones-Smith, a/k/a “9" (age 25) - four counts of distribution of controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
Distribution of controlled substances is generally punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, however, is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000.
Law enforcement also arrested Corey Andre Chandler (age 29), who, along with his co-defendant Darrell Jonathon Martin II (age 37), has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Martin and Chandler stand accused of trafficking in large quantities of methamphetamine between April 2019 and July 2020. Both men face up to life in prison if convicted on the charged counts.
Yesterday’s arrests are part of Operation Interstate Zeus, an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that began in 2019 and has been led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and members of Michigan State Police’s West Michigan Enforcement Teams (WEMET). Approximately 35 law enforcement agents from across state and federal agencies participated in the arrests, including the DEA, WEMET, other Michigan State Police officers and narcotics teams, Muskegon City Police, the Muskegon Heights Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Michigan Department of Corrections, with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
With the exception of Chandler and Martin, the charges against the arrestees stem from criminal complaints. Under the United States Constitution, the government must present felony cases to a grand jury and obtain indictments to proceed with prosecution. The charges in the complaints and indictment are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Law enforcement continues to search for Martin. Members of the public with information as to Martin’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact the United States Marshals Service at (616) 456-2438.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
