GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey announced that on April 14, 2026, a grand jury indicted eight defendants for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and other related offenses. Six defendants had previously been indicted in separate cases. The eight defendants indicted on April 14 are listed below: United States v. Echols, et al., No. 1:26-cr-00035NameAgeResidenceStatus and ChargesShawn Bernard Echols,a/k/a “Doe,” “Brother-in-Law”56Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled SubstancesLamont Roquinton Thomas, a/k/a “Jug,” “Jughead”52Berrien Springs, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineAnthony Lynn Lloyd,a/k/a “Amp”54Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylAdrian Linn Travier36Kalamazoo, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of MethamphetamineLamar Edward Sanders47Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled SubstancesKeith Trayvon Curtisa/k/a “Tray,” “Nephew”35Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled SubstancesLue Chanel Williams54Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Commit Concealment Money Laundering and False Statement within the Jurisdiction of the United States United States v. Traylor, No. 1:26-cr-00036NameAgeResidenceStatus and ChargesGregory Levell Traylor,a/k/a “Vell”47Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine The six defendants previously indicted are listed below: United States v. Ballard, et al., No. 1:26-cr-00016NameAgeResidenceStatus and ChargesKorey Demichael Ballard,a/k/a “Dizzle”31Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of Methamphetamine and CocaineCharles Xavier Williams41Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of MethamphetamineDeshun Lee Holmes38Benton Harbor, MichiganPending Guilty Plea – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and CocaineDemyron Lashun Robinson42Benton Harbor, MichiganIndicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of Cocaine United States v. Scott, et al., No. 1:25-cr-00176NameAgeResidenceStatus and ChargesMichael Deanglo Scott,a/k/a “Bink,” “Binky”32Benton Harbor, MichiganPled Guilty – Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineMichael Devontae Scott,a/k/a “Big Head”33Benton Harbor, MichiganPled Guilty – Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine The investigation arose after agents learned that a group of Benton Harbor drug traffickers were obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine and other drugs through third-party carriers out-of-state. For example, on July 9, 2025, investigators seized over 19 pounds of methamphetamine from a FedEx box delivered from California to Bangor, Michigan. On November 19, 2025, investigators executed over a dozen search warrants in Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, St. Joseph, and Kalamazoo, Michigan and elsewhere, which resulted in the seizure of nearly a kilogram of fentanyl, over 500 grams of cocaine, over $40,000 in cash, and multiple firearms. Further details of the investigation are available in the criminal complaint filed in United States v. Scott, No. 1:25-mj-00612.“This investigation shows the power of collaboration among law enforcement agencies,” stated U.S. Attorney VerHey…
Source: U.S. Department of Justice