Operation Mad Hatter leads to multiple arrests

PINE BLUFF — Twelve defendants are in custody after a DEA operation led to several arrests this morning as part of a federal drug investigation. Operation Mad Hatter has resulted in the identification of multiple drug traffickers and the seizure of large quantities of cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and heroin.

Operation Mad Hatter, run by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, is an ongoing DEA Domestic Cartel Initiative investigation. Today’s arrests follow the unsealing of indictments of 13 individuals who were charged by a federal grand jury on March 3.

Of those, eight were taken into custody this morning, four were already in police custody, and one has made arrangements to turn herself in. The investigation was initiated in June 2018 to target violent drug trafficking organizations operating in central Arkansas and, in particular, Pine Bluff. The investigation revealed that the Stuttgart Police Department was responding to drug and violence caused by a local gang organization called Porter Block Mafia, or PBM.

Detectives reported this particular organization was responsible for several shootings and other violent crimes in Stuttgart. The organization was also known for selling crack cocaine, marijuana and illegally- obtained pills.

Stuttgart police reported there have been several drug robberies in their city suspected to be carried out by the PBM organization.

The Pine Bluff Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office advised investigators that the main violent gang organization in their community is known as Murder Gang and Murder MOB, or MOB. Local investigators advised that these violent organizations were responsible for three to four shootings a night in their community as well as several murders. Both agencies advised that the killings were related to narcotics and gang rivalries.

Additionally, over 120 firearms had been stolen from a pawn shop in Pine Bluff, and police advised that they suspected MOB has been using these stolen weapons to commit crimes in their community.

In response to the drug and gun violence in Pine Bluff and Stuttgart, DEA launched Operation Mad Hatter last year. In February, DEA made the first arrests related to the operation, and in August, additional arrests resulted from activity uncovered during the ongoing investigation. Today’s arrests mark the third phase of the operation, which has resulted in a total of 43 arrests to date.

On March 3, the grand jury for the Eastern District of Arkansas returned an indictment charging Kendrick Thorn and 11 codefendants in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, as well as firearms offenses. Thorn and three codefendants are charged with enhanced penalties based on prior convictions for drug trafficking and crimes of violence. Four additional defendants are indicted with drug trafficking and firearm offenses in separate indictments.

During the course of Operation Mad Hatter, investigators have seized 29 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), 1.5 kilograms of heroin, 82 grams of fentanyl, over 200 diverted prescription pills, more than $107,000 in assets, and seven firearms. During today’s arrests, officers recovered an additional 600 grams of methamphetamine, approximately one pound of marijuana, three firearms, and approximately $6,000 in U.S. currency.

“Today’s arrests demonstrate that law enforcement is working hard to eradicate drugs and violence from our communities,” stated Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “This third phase of Operation Mad Hatter is an example of the continued pressure we will apply

Continued on Page 14 STATE NEWS (cont.)

to drug trafficking organizations. We appreciate the efforts of our many law enforcement partners who were instrumental in carrying out this investigation.”

Shirley Washington, Mayor of Pine Bluff, stated, “The City of Pine Bluff is committed to revitalizing our community and making this a place of destination for families, students, and businesses to thrive. We support all efforts to make this a safe environment for such progress to grow and flourish.”

“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities. This Domestic Cartel Initiative operation is a powerful attack against a violent drug trafficking organization and will have an immediate impact in this region of Arkansas and beyond,” DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Justin King said.

***

LILTTLE ROCK — Miss Dogwood Ebony Mitchell was crowned as Miss Arkansas 2022 Saturday night.

Mitchell competed alongside 44 candidates from across the Natural State to represent Arkansas in the Miss America Organization.

She was crowned by Miss Arkansas 2021 Whitney Williams at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.

As the Miss Arkansas winner, Mitchell will take home scholarship money and the chance to represent the state on the national stage.

Mitchell is a graduate student at John Brown University, where she is working on a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Administration.

She is a 2019 Graduate of University of Central Arkansas where she received a degree in Business Administration.

She is currently working as marketing specialist for Conway Regional Health Systems.

She danced to “Respect” at Miss Arkansas, and her social impact is “A Responsible Digital You.” ***

LITTLE ROCK — In the 2021 regular session of the 93rd General Assembly, legislators passed Act 586 “The Tax Appeals Commission Act.”

This new act directed the state to create, within the Department of Inspector General, an independent agency with tax expertise to hear and resolve disputes between the Department of Finance and Administration and taxpayers before requiring the payments of the amount in issue.

By establishing the Tax Appeals Commission as an independent tax tribunal within the executive branch of government, taxpayers are provided with a means of resolving controversies with the Department of Finance and Administration before a neutral body.

The commission will be made up of three qualified electors with substantial knowledge of Arkansas tax law appointed by the governor, and they will serve 9-year terms.

Act 586 requires names to be submitted to the governor by the Arkansas Supreme Court, the Arkansas Bar Association, and the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants. It then requires the governor to select from the three pools of candidates.

The governor has appointed the following:

• Chief Commissioner Jeffrey H. Moore, Little Rock, attorney and CPA nominated by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Moore is a trial lawyer with a focus on construction disputes.

Moore also maintains his license as a CPA.

• Commissioner – Matt Boch, Little Rock, attorney nominated by the Arkansas Bar Association. Boch is an Arkansas tax attorney that specializes in state and local taxes and economic development incentives.

• Commissioner – Joseph A. Sanford, Rogers, licensed CPA nominated by the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Sanford is president of Sanford and Company, CPAs in Mena, Arkansas.

Submitted photo