Tevin Williams, 31, and Zakyia Williams, 25, both from Sherman Oaks, California, have been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McGrath, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Tevin Williams and his associates in December 2021 for suspected drug trafficking activities. From December 2021 through March 2023, authorities allege that the organization distributed significant amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in the Rochester area as well as other locations. Investigators say that Tevin Williams lived in Sherman Oaks with his girlfriend and co-defendant Zakyia Williams. The couple allegedly shipped parcels containing drugs via the United States Postal Service to co-conspirators in Rochester. Fentanyl was reportedly distributed as pressed pills marked to resemble 30mg Percocet tablets known as fake “Perc 30s.” Investigators also determined that Tevin Williams traveled regularly to Rochester to supply his co-conspirators.
Between February and August of 2022, law enforcement conducted eight controlled purchases of fentanyl from Tevin Williams or members of his group. In December 2022, investigators intercepted a package addressed to Webster, New York containing about 800 grams of cocaine linked to the organization; after replacing its contents with sham material for a controlled delivery and executing a search warrant at the address, officers recovered drug trafficking paraphernalia but no narcotics. Another intercepted package in January 2023 contained roughly 718 grams of cocaine along with approximately 555 grams of blue pills believed to contain fentanyl. In March 2023, a third intercepted package included about one kilogram of fentanyl pills.
Both defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and were detained pending further proceedings.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: the ATF under Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller (New York Field Division), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service led by Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, and the U.S. Marshals Service under Marshal Charles Salina who located and apprehended the defendants after they fled to Trinidad and Tobago.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo stated: "The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
