From the U.S. Department of Justice:
Six individuals federally indicted, and 5 individuals charged by the State of Arkansas, are in custody after federal and state authorities made a series of arrests Thursday morning as part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America and an FBI initiative designated Operation Summer Heat.
The arrests stem from an investigation that began in 2023, which targeted methamphetamine and fentanyl distributors operating in and around the Mountain Home, Arkansas area. The investigation, which was headed by the FBI, involved numerous undercover buys of methamphetamine, and drug and firearm seizures from members of the drug trafficking organization. Since its inception, a total of 23 individuals have been arrested as part of the investigation.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The FBI initiative designated “SUMMER HEAT” is a nationwide initiative targeting violent crime during the summer months. As part of this effort, the FBI has launched a multi-pronged offensive to crush violent crime. By surging resources alongside state and local partners, executing federal warrants on violent criminals and fugitives, and dismantling violent gangs nationwide, the FBI seeks to aggressively restore safety in communities across the country.
Those arrested are anticipated to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Christy D. Comstock on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Thursday’s arrests are the result of an investigation by the FBI, and assisted by the 14th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Mountain Home Police Department, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the Harrison Police Department, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, the Springdale Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Arkansas State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Briana Robbins.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
