19 Charged in Federal Crackdown on Dallas Drug Network; Guns, Drugs and More Than $500,000 Seized

DALLAS - Nineteen people have been federally charged in a 24-count indictment targeting what authorities describe as a yearslong, highly organized drug trafficking network that operated multiple drug houses across Dallas, including locations near schools, parks and youth facilities.

Thirteen of the 19 defendants have been arrested, while six remained at large as authorities announced the case Tuesday, September 29th.

Federal prosecutors identified convicted drug trafficker Avery Wayne Davis, also known as "AD," and Sterling Lawrence Taylor, also known as "Bo," as alleged leaders of the organization. Investigators said the network distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana throughout the Dallas area.

The investigation developed over an extended period and involved Dallas police working alongside the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation through the Homeland Security Task Force.

Authorities said investigators used confidential sources, historical intelligence and wiretaps to identify multiple narcotics distribution networks and suspected drug houses.

Federal officials said the organization was structured, with members filling different roles and using surveillance as part of its operation. Investigators said drugs were being brought into the network on a weekly basis.

Five Dallas drug houses identified

The indictment identifies suspected drug premises on Roberts Avenue, Munger Avenue, Cedar Mountain Circle, Woodmeadow Parkway and Abrams Road.

Federal officials said several of the locations were close to places frequented by children, including schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and public parks. Three of the suspected drug houses were clustered in the same Dallas neighborhood, according to information released during the federal announcement.

Additional counts in the indictment involve alleged drug premises on Coolidge Street.

The indictment accuses Davis, Taylor, Tiffany Nicole Alphonse, Reteecia Te Shane Handy, Adonis Jamaal Moore, Anthony Taylor, James Harrison and Darrin DeShon Ray of offenses involving maintaining drug-involved premises or aiding and abetting those operations.

Cocaine conspiracy carries potential life sentence

The most serious drug conspiracy alleged in the indictment involves 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.

Davis, Taylor and Phillip Hernandez-Martinez, also identified as Phillip Martinez-Hernandez, are charged in that conspiracy. If convicted, the offense carries a statutory sentencing range of 10 years to life in federal prison.

A second conspiracy involves 500 grams or more of cocaine and names Davis, Taylor, Oltin Coneius Ward, Alphonse, Samantha Rodriguez, Moore and Anthony Taylor.

That charge carries a statutory range of five to 40 years in prison upon conviction.

Other counts involve possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, as well as separate conspiracies involving methamphetamine and cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine.

Firearms recovered during investigation

Authorities seized eight firearms during the investigation, according to reports from Tuesday's announcement.

Weapons identified by federal authorities include a .50-caliber Desert Eagle, Glock Model 33, Taurus pistols, a Canik pistol, a .300 Blackout rifle and a .357 Magnum revolver.

Davis, Taylor, Moore, Paul Perkins and Ray are among the defendants accused of possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

A conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory prison sentence that must be served consecutively to a sentence imposed for the underlying drug offense.

Cash and jewelry seized

Investigators also followed the money generated by the suspected operation.

Authorities reported seizing more than $40,000 described as drug-related proceeds, along with additional currency and jewelry. Federal officials said the broader seizures tied to the investigation amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The indictment includes a conspiracy to launder money generated through drug trafficking.

Davis, Alphonse, Shydale McNickels, also known as "Missy," and Handy are named in the money laundering allegation.

IRS Criminal Investigation agents participated in the investigation by tracing suspected illicit funds connected to the organization.

Cellphone allegedly used to arrange cocaine distribution

One of the 24 counts accuses Harrison of unlawfully using a communication facility, specifically a cellphone, to facilitate cocaine distribution.

The indictment also includes six firearms counts associated with drug trafficking, five initial counts involving the operation of drug premises and additional drug-house allegations involving Coolidge Street.

Federal authorities said the investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 28,000 grams of illegal narcotics.

Defendants named in the charges

Among the defendants identified in the government's description of the 24-count indictment are:

• Avery Wayne Davis, aka "AD"
• Sterling Lawrence Taylor, aka "Bo"
• Phillip Hernandez-Martinez, aka Phillip Martinez-Hernandez
• Oltin Coneius Ward, aka "Lump"
• Tiffany Nicole Alphonse
• Samantha Rodriguez, aka "Sam" and "Bonnie"
• Adonis Jamaal Moore, aka "Mall"
• Anthony Taylor, aka "Ant"
• Paul Perkins
• Darrin DeShon Ray
• Reteecia Te Shane Handy, aka Retecia Handy
• James Harrison
• Shydale McNickels, aka "Missy"

The government's announcement did not provide the names of all 19 defendants in the narrative supplied with the charges.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said the investigation developed over an extended period as local investigators worked with federal agents to identify the suspected network.

The FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation and Dallas Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myria Boehm of the Major Crimes Section is prosecuting it.