HSI assists ATF with arresting 10 in east Texas drug trafficking enterprise

TYLER, Texas – Ten men were arrested Wednesday in east Texas following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Henderson, Texas, area. U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas, announced the arrests.

At about 6 a.m. Aug. 1, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies began executing 10 federal arrest warrants for defendants charged in a conspiracy to distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine in and around Henderson, Texas, since September 2010.

On July 11, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment charging 14 individuals with multiple counts of federal drug and firearm violations.

The following defendants are in custody and will make their initial appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate John D. Love:

• Deric Lamont Sheppard, aka "Big Shep," 32, of Henderson;
• Master Markeith Lacy, aka "Kiki," 36, of Henderson;
• Justin Lamark Porter, 23, of Overton, Texas;
• Ernest Vantrezes Mallard, aka "Duck," 30, of Henderson;
• Derek Lamarcus Horton, aka "Null Null," 27, of Kilgore, Texas;
• Marcus Derail Porter, aka "Blade," 30, of Henderson;
• Kail Demond Lacy Jr, aka "KJ," 19, of Henderson;
• Randy Cameron, 52, of Henderson;
• Lattoris Dewuan Jackson, aka "Coonjack," 32, of Henderson; and
• Cornelius Marquis Murphy, aka "Papa Murphy," 21, of Henderson, Texas.

Travis Lanard Porter, aka "Nard," aka "Travis Deamon," 35, of Henderson, and Johnny Ray Smith Jr., 33, of Henderson, will appear next week before U. S. Magistrate John D. Love for their initial appearances.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy charge, the defendants face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and fines of up to $10 million. If convicted on the weapons violations, the defendants face at least 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any property used to commit or facilitate the crimes or derived from proceeds of the conspiracy.

This case is being investigated by the following agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Texas Department of Public Safety and Henderson County Police Department. The following agencies assisted in making the Wednesday arrests: U. S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Rusk County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Corrections.

U.S. Attorney Richard Moore, Eastern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.