4 individuals arrested for involvement in cocaine distribution conspiracy

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Four alleged members of a cocaine distribution conspiracy have been arrested and charged by criminal complaint in northern Florida. The criminal complaint resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the Panama City Police Department; the Bay County Sheriff's Office and the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Freddie Lee Christopher Knowles, IV, 26, and John Jerome Fagin, 29, from the greater Panama City-area, and Candis Marshae Walker, 24, and David Isaac Rucker, 23, from Jackson, Miss., were allegedly involved in a conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine in Florida and elsewhere. The conspiracy allegedly began as early as September 2011 and continued until the defendants' arrests Feb. 12 and Feb. 13. Investigators seized more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than $125,000 in U.S. currency, four firearms, three vehicles and a 23-foot boat as part of the investigation. Additional arrests are anticipated.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and up to a $10 million fine.

A criminal complaint is merely a preliminary allegation that a defendant has violated federal criminal law. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless the government proves their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury at trial.