David Clay Fowlkes, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
Two men from Springdale, Arkansas, have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 36 years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses. Judge Timothy L. Brooks handed down the sentences at the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
Court documents show that in June 2024, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force (4th JDDTF) began investigating Latrell Devontae Richmond, 29, and Lucky Bannavong, 26. The investigation revealed that both individuals were distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine and pressed fentanyl pills in Springdale and other areas. Detectives encountered Bannavong while he was on parole with the state of Arkansas and found him carrying a loaded firearm, methamphetamine, and a large amount of cash.
Further investigation indicated that Richmond and Bannavong stored methamphetamine and fentanyl at Richmond’s apartment in Springdale. After obtaining a search warrant for the apartment, detectives discovered about 1,233 grams of methamphetamine, 3,136 fentanyl pills, approximately 165 grams of marijuana, a loaded semi-automatic pistol, and U.S. currency.
Both men were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025 and pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in February. Bannavong received a sentence of 235 months in federal prison; Richmond was sentenced to 200 months.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas announced the sentences.
The case was investigated by the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Robbins.
According to officials involved with Operation Take Back America—a national initiative led by the Department of Justice—the case is part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration-related crime as well as activities linked to cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
