Federal authorities have unsealed two indictments charging 19 individuals in connection with a drug trafficking operation based in Jefferson County, Alabama. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
The first indictment names Hakim Rashad James (“Hop”), Ranisha Alliya Tolbert (“Nisha”), Kelvin Dean Lewis, Walter Jamal Tate, James Edward Williams, Jr. (“Junior”), Dornita Corine Roberson, Carveyon Tiean Jargee Glover (“Black”), Sammy Anthony Bryant, Jr. (“Pooh”), Leniqua Tamarshay Wood, Patra Shaneal Floyd, and Stayci Aieyanna Long.
The second indictment lists Antonious Somuntez Sanders (“Ant”), Zestra Cartasha Williams (“Star”), Anthony Martez Harris, Luis Antonio Spano, Geoffrey Lawson, Annenah Majeed, Tom Devonte Woods, and an unnamed defendant known as “Roy.”
All 19 defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl between February and December 2025. Fifteen of the accused are also charged with using telephones to facilitate drug trafficking crimes.
During the investigation led by the FBI and DEA with support from local law enforcement agencies—including Bessemer Police Department and others—authorities seized more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The indictments specify varying levels of involvement for each defendant regarding the quantities of drugs:
- Sanders, Williams, and Majeed are charged with conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and substances containing fentanyl.
- Sanders faces an additional charge involving at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.
- James is charged with distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 40 grams of fentanyl.
- Harris, Spano, Lawson, and “Roy” are charged in connection with distributing substances containing fentanyl.
- Woods is accused concerning five grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Tolbert, Tate, Williams Jr., Roberson, Lewis, and Long face charges related to distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
- Glover, Wood, and Floyd are alleged to have distributed substances containing methamphetamine.
- Bryant Jr. is charged with distributing over 40 grams of fentanyl as well as other controlled substances.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including federal bodies such as the DEA and FBI alongside numerous local police departments across Alabama. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and Carson R. Gilbert are prosecuting the cases.
This action is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established under Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF coordinates efforts among various government agencies to target criminal cartels and transnational organizations involved in drug trafficking and other serious crimes within the United States.
U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona stated: "Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations..."
An indictment represents only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
