U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett | U.S. Department of Justice
On February 19, 2025, a federal grand jury in Louisville charged 13 Kentucky residents with methamphetamine and firearms offenses across six indictments. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, along with officials from several law enforcement agencies.
The first indictment charges Johnathan Hankins and Tremell Smith of Louisville with two counts each for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine between March and May 2024.
In the second indictment, Shawn Beason of Louisville, Justin Cummins, and William Willis of Mount Vernon face charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 5, 2024.
Ejai Shanklin is charged in the third indictment with multiple counts related to methamphetamine distribution and firearm possession between April and June 2024. Daryl Horton faces one count related to methamphetamine distribution on May 20, 2024.
The fourth indictment involves Jeffrey Bradley, Britney Calloway, Curtis Wright of Louisville, and Jeffrey Holder of Ferguson in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from June through August 2024. Additional charges include firearm-related offenses against Holder due to previous felony convictions.
Honesty Davis is charged in the fifth indictment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on August 26, 2024. Jaquan Tooley faces similar charges in the sixth indictment for an incident on September 13, 2024.
Eight defendants have been arrested and appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge this week. One will appear on March 3, while others remain in state custody pending federal appearances.
If convicted, sentences range from a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment without parole. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge considering various guidelines.
The cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation involving multiple agencies including ATF, DEA, HSI, IRS-CI, KSP, and the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts is prosecuting these cases under this initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States.
An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
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