‘Money Don’t Sleep’ completes third sweep
Multiagency operation rounds up dangerous felons
By JOHN RECH
news@theeveningtimes.com
The West Memphis Police and the DEA Little Rock spearheaded a roundup in Crittenden County of 29 people indicted drug traffickers on March 16. Police were quick to point out the cases developed over a seven- year period. The sweep was the third under Operation Money Don’t Sleep. The indictments centered on cocaine distribution. The arrests netted guns and $500,000 cash, after a federal grand jury handed down 17 indictments and three forfeiture allegations unsealed last week against the 32 local people accused under the third phase of the operation last week.
West Memphis Police Chief Robbin Campbell provided an overview of the multi-year operation. The chief rolled the crime-reduction initiative geared towards violent crimes in areas where complaints of narcotics sales and violent crimes involving guns and gangs occurred. Patrol officers key the efforts and work to identify fraudulent tags while engaged in traffic saturation efforts.
“Our goal with this strategic enforcement is to decrease violent crimes in the areas of our city that have traditionally been hit the hardest while also building trust and legitimacy back with those in the community,” said Campbell. “The previous two phases of “Money Don’t Sleep” resulted in a combined 72 drug trafficker arrests. The three sweeps resulted in 126 individuals being arrested with 111 of them being federally indicted.”
West Memphis Assistant Police Chief Brent Bradley said Operation Money Don’t Sleep set a precedent for local law enforcement. The assistant chief served as a bridge across all three phases at the WMPD since the plans for the operation were first discussed in 2015. Bradley minced no words in his get tough on crime statement.
“We set the precedent that if you plan on distributing narcotics in Crittenden County, we will use all available resources to dismantle your organization and place you into federal custody for a long period of time,” said Bradley. “There is still much work to be done and we will not let up.”
The early morning roundup netted 27 of 32 wanted under the indictments unsealed last Tuesday. Four suspects were already in custody as the raids began. Two more missed the
See MONEY, page A3 MONEY
From page A1
dragnet on Wednesday but turned themselves in last week. Three suspects remained at large including Robert Brown, Jeremy Mcleary, and Early Bird Johnson. During Wednesday’s operation, authorities seized 14 firearms and over $500,000 cash believed to be drug proceeds. Most of the confiscated money was discovered at one location.
Those indicted in the order listed were Christopher Harrison, Quentis Harris, Donald Chess, Jeremy McCleary, Angela Golden, Randy Ray Smith, Early Bird Johnson, Joe Hodges, Gwen Patterson, Oscar Hodges, Christopher Houston, Lloyd Scott, Reginald Smith, Ricky McDaniel, Christopher Cochran, Kempton Anderson, Anontios Reed, Tracy Pickens, Reousca Rodgers, Andre McDaniel, Antonio Calloway, Clement Newton, Don Franklin, Gregory Hale, Melvin Watson, Robert Brown, Terry White, Tristan Harris, Willie Brown, and Willie Cooper.
Bradley spread credit for the multi-agency investigations which produced federal indictments and expressed gratitude for those help during the arrest sweep. He called the operation a wild ride and alluded to some harrowing police work.
“I would like to thank all the men and women who assisted with today’s round up and who have assisted the narcotics division countless times over the course of the last several years,” said Bradley. “This three-phase investigation began at a conference table in October of 2015 and concluded on today, March 16th, 2022. I was privileged to be able to actively participate in all three phases. To the Narcotics Unit/2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Marion Police Department, DEA, ATF and other federal agencies, past and present, I want to commend you for the dedication you showed during this investigation. The long nights, weeks away from home, hairy situations, and all other sacrifices made our community a safer place. Over the course of this wild ride, I have made some lifelong friendships and learned how powerful of an impact we can make when we all work together.”
Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant and Special Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Eldridge were prosecuting the cases.
“We appreciate the work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in conducting today’s arrest operation,” said United States Attorney Jonathan D Ross. “Protecting the citizens of our local communities is our top priority, and we want the people of West Memphis to know that we will continue our efforts to make their neighborhoods safer.”
