More than 100 law enforcement agents serve search warrants in Sedalia
37 people indicted for violent crime and drug-trafficking activity
More than 100 law enforcement agents took part in search and arrest warrants Thursday morning that netted dozens of arrests.
A spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told ABC 17 News that the ATF, along with local agencies, served the warrants in the Sedalia area.
John Ham said the 110 officers served the warrants as part of an "ongoing federal criminal investigation."
Thirty-seven people, including 23 Sedalia residents, were indicted in six separate cases during a two-year investigation called "Operation Coin Collector."
The U.S. Attorney's Office said the cases revolve around drug-trafficking conspiracies that distributed more than $1 million worth of cocaine and illegally possessing firearms.
The investigation focused on "significant" violent crime and drug-trafficking activity in the Sedalia area. Twenty-eight people were arrested Thursday and 9 were already in custody.
Thursday morning's search warrants were served by ATF agents and the U.S. Marshal's Service, as well as officers from various forces including the Boone County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia and Columbia police departments.
Central Missouri residents indicted:
William M. Staten, also known as “Bugs,” 39, of Sedalia
Sarandon A. Staten, also known as “Ran,” 19, of Sedalia
Robert D. Ballance, also known as “Bass,” 30, of Sedalia
Gordon E. Hawkins, also known as “Fresh,” 24, of Sedalia
Ronald W. Spencer, 68, of Sedalia
Katherine A. Mazari, 50, of Sedalia
Ansley E. Sims, 29, of Columbia
Brian K. Wilson, also known as “Brazy,” 39, of Knob Knoster
Jeffrey A. Kinner, also known as “P-Nut,” 31, of Knob Knoster
D’Shaun L. Johnson, 19, of Knob Knoster
Devan L. Plakorus, 19, of Knob Knoster
Janice M. Williams, 41, of Knob Knoster
Walter J. Staten, Jr., also known as “Walt Jack,”22, of Sedalia
Micah J. Clark, also known as “Dukes,” 32, of Sedalia
Samuel I. Gravitt, 21, of Sedalia
Jeremy D. Peters, also known as “Pun,” 24, of Columbia
Eual T. Buckner, also known as “Big Tommy,” 56, of Sedalia
Kenneth C. Kendrick, also known as “Kavi,” 40, of Sedalia
Lee A. Kendrick, 65, of Sedalia
Eric T. Hawkins, also known as “Easy,” 33, of Sedalia
Kardell E. Sims, also known as “FU,” 35, of Sedalia
George E. Buckner, also known as “Jorge,” 50, of Sedalia
Ronald C. Boggs, also known as “Hobbs,” 47, of Sedalia
Marvin D. Spruell, 56, of Sedalia
Vickey J. Spruell, 56, of Sedalia
Gordell E. Poindexter, also known as “Fat Man,” 23, of Sedalia
Art W. Williams, also known as “Ace,” 25, of Sedalia
Demetrius N. Gray, also known as “Meechi,” 29, of Sedalia
Antonio T. Gray, also known as “T,” 29, of Sedalia
Marquoi D. Staten, also known as “Scratch,” 21, of Sedalia
Read the full release from the U.S. Attorney's Office here.
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