On the early morning of Thursday, October 3rd, a federal law enforcement raid took place in Brownfield, Texas, resulting in the arrest of nine alleged drug traffickers. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the alleged organized crime ring was operating in Brownfield and surrounding areas, and the individuals have been federally charged.
The defendants were arrested on Thursday in a coordinated operation involving officers and agents from the Brownfield Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Lubbock Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Homeland Security Investigations. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda ‘Amy’ R. Burch on Friday morning for their initial hearings.
“The success of this investigation highlights DEA’s outstanding partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies in the Caprock area,” said Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chavez. “DEA Lubbock and its counterparts will continue to bring violent drug traffickers to justice in small rural communities and large metropolitan areas alike.”
“The Brownfield Police Department takes the health and safety of our community seriously. We will continue to do what is necessary to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who distribute illegal narcotics on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said Brownfield Police Chief Chris Kotzur.
A list of those charged in six separate indictments includes:
Kirkland Ryan Longoria, arrested in Brownfield, was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine.
Sandra Kay Cavazos, arrested in Brownfield, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine.
Dewayne Deshae Willis, arrested in Brownfield, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Larry Joe Franco, Jr., arrested in Brownfield, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
Demetrick Ward, arrested in Brownfield, was charged with distribution of cocaine.
Arthur Lee Willingham, arrested in Lubbock, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Steven Blake Johnston, arrested in Lubbock, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Steven Rene Rodriguez, arrested in Meadow, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
Lorraine Riojas Davila, arrested in Meadow, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
Brownfield Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Lubbock Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Rancourt and Sean Long are prosecuting the cases.
