U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in Louisville has indicted seven individuals on charges related to methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution. The indictment, issued on November 5, 2024, includes six men and one woman accused of conspiracy and distribution offenses. One defendant faces an additional charge for possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police.
According to the indictment, all six defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances from February 22 to November 4, 2024. The individuals named in the indictment are Avaron Sims, Julio Contreras, Patrick Russo, Maleek Spalding, Dominque Farris, Jaron Blincoe Robinson, and Amanda Foley.
Spalding faces additional charges including twelve counts of fentanyl distribution, one count of methamphetamine distribution, and possession of a firearm related to drug trafficking. Farris is charged with multiple counts for distributing both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Robinson is charged with two counts of fentanyl distribution while Foley faces one count for methamphetamine distribution.
Spalding, Farris, and Robinson have appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Kentucky; Spalding and Farris were detained while Robinson was released pending trial. Sims appeared before a judge in California and was released pending trial. Contreras, Russo, and Foley remain at large as federal fugitives.
If convicted, each defendant could face a maximum life sentence without parole under federal law. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on guidelines and statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by several law enforcement agencies including the FBI, LMPD (Louisville Metro Police Department), KSP (Kentucky State Police), Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Los Angeles Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl is prosecuting the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration.
An indictment represents allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
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