The last of 25 suspects indicted in connection with a three-state drug trafficking organization based in Little Rock was arrested Thursday morning.
Michael Dawkins, 28, of Little Rock surrendered to the FBI, said Cherith Beck, spokesman for the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Dawkins was being held for federal authorities at the Pulaski County jail without bail.
He has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance three times since 2006, according to court records.
The federal grand jury indictment, unsealed Tuesday, states Freddie Brewster, 30, was the leader of the group. He purportedly distributed large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana from his auto shop in southwest Little Rock. The FBI began an investigation in January 2013 and seized more than 145 pounds of marijuana, 9 ounces of crack cocaine and $35,000 in drug proceeds, according to the indictment.
All but four of those indicted appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Volpe on Thursday and pleaded innocent to charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana, and use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. Brewster's 27-year-old wife, Christina, pleaded innocent to a charge of money laundering.
Suspects who appeared in court Thursday were each given a trial date of Oct. 20 before U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes.
Two people named in the 62-count indictment, Thomas Caffrey and Tommie Ice, were in state custody. They're scheduled to make their first court appearances Thursday. Ice of Little Rock was charged with first-degree murder in June.
Two other suspects arrested in Texas and Georgia remained in their respective states Thursday.
Rachel Lewis, 34, was being transported from Atlanta to Little Rock, Beck said. Christian White, 24, was appearing in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Beck said.
Metro on 09/19/2014