A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday charges 25 people in three states with participating in a drug trafficking organization based in Little Rock.
The purported leader of the organization, Freddie Eugene Brewster, 30, of Little Rock, was among 23 people named in the indictment who were arrested Tuesday. Brewster imported large amounts of marijuana and cocaine from Texas and distributed the drugs from his Little Rock auto shop, according to the 62-count indictment filed Thursday in U.S. District Court.
His mother, Linda Brewster, 53, and wife, Christina Brewster, 27, also were indicted and arrested Tuesday in Little Rock. Altogether, 21 Arkansans in 10 cities across the state were arrested in the case.
A Dallas-area man and an Atlanta woman also were arrested in their respective states. Two suspects remained at large late Tuesday.
Beginning in January 2013, undercover FBI agents working with various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies purchased more than 1.75 kilograms of cocaine -- or about 3.85 pounds -- from the group, the indictment says.
Authorities reported seizing more than 165 pounds of marijuana, 9 ounces of crack cocaine and more than $35,000 in drug proceeds from multiple bank accounts connected to the organization. Twenty vehicles also were seized by authorities, as well as the inventory of Brewster's Used Auto & Detail at 6618 Forbing Road in Little Rock.
Calls to the shop went straight to voice mail late Tuesday afternoon.
Those indicted face charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana, and use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. Christina Brewster was charged with money laundering.
Cherith Beck, spokesman for the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, said Tuesday that it was unclear how long the group operated. An investigation began the same month federal authorities received information on the group, she said.
Freddie Brewster has been convicted of drug charges in the past. He negotiated a guilty plea to multiple counts of drug distribution and possession in 2007 after Little Rock police found 25 pounds of marijuana, 4 ounces of methamphetamine, 15 ecstasy pills and a set of scales in his vehicle during a traffic stop, court records show. The marijuana was packaged in 14 plastic bags in a duffel bag.
Officers stopped Brewster after receiving information that he was transporting "a large amount of narcotics" to an auto repair shop at 10702 Arch St., according to police. It was unclear how police received that information.
One purported member of the organization was charged with first-degree murder in June after Little Rock police said he shot a man to death during a dispute between rival gangs.
Tommie Ice, 24, is accused of shooting Leonard Montgomery, 25, in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Apartments at 6201 Mabelvale Cut Off Road in April. Witnesses told police that Ice was a member of the "Self Paid Playas" gang and Montgomery was part of the "Highland Park Pirus/Highland Park Murda Mob," according to court affidavits. Ice shot Montgomery in the back as he was walking away from a dispute, police reported.
Another purported member of Brewster's organization was arrested in May after Little Rock police said he used a stolen handgun to shoot at bottles in his backyard while drunk. Alton Givens, 29, was charged with possession of a firearm by certain persons, theft by receiving and public intoxication.
Metro on 09/17/2014