Tallassee man one of nine sentenced to federal prison

Staff Report TPI Staff

The ninth and final defendant was sentenced this week for his role in a Macon County-based drug trafficking operation. This concludes a series of sentencings involving nine members of a violent, neighborhood-based organization called the “31 Boys,” named for County Road 31 in Notasulga.

According to court documents and records, in 2018, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the FBI began an investigation of the 31 Boys for the suspected sale of illegal drugs in Macon County. Using various investigative techniques, agents were able to identify individual members of the organization and connect the conduct of each member to the overall drug trafficking venture. Investigators soon discovered that Michael Javon Daniel of Tuskegee, who received the 240-month sentence, was the leader of the group and directed many of the individuals’ roles.

“Statements made by law enforcement in various court hearings indicated that the Notasulga location used by the organization frequently operated like a “flea market,” with numerous other dealers, essentially functioning as independent vendors, selling a variety of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana,” United States Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Alabama’s Doug Howard said in a statement. “Some of the methamphetamine seized from the defendants tested at a purity level of 99 percent. This high purity level resulted in some of the defendants being subject to increased advisory Sentencing Guidelines ranges.”

United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart said the sale of drugs usually leads to other crimes.

“The safety of our communities is a top priority for my office,” Stewart said. “So often, violence results when individuals sell drugs and arm themselves while doing so. Communities suffer from the dangerous and harmful operations of organizations like the one at the center of this prosecution. I am grateful for the exceptional work of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case.”

ALEA aided in the investigation of heavy rain will all be possible in the severe weather risk areas. The prime time for severe weather will be from Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday morning.

Heavy rain is expected statewide, and the National Weather Service says up to four inches could be possible in

Forest

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“We help them identify and put-into-practice forest and wildlife management activities that give rise to quality wildlife habitat, productive forests that yield products people use every day, scenic beauty and clean water,” Gothard said. “We look forward to sharing Westervelt Forest with youth and school groups that visit our Alabama Nature Center facility, with landowners looking to learn more about practices they can employ on their properties and helping advance the skills and knowledge of natural resource professionals.”

Westervelt Company President and CEO Brian Luoma said the project matches the goals of the Westervelt Company.

“The Westervelt Company is both excited and proud to partner with AWF to make Westervelt Forest a the case.

“As law enforcement officers we have a duty to protect and serve the citizens of this great state, but we also have a fundamental responsibility to preserve the communities in which they live,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said. “Shortly after assuming my role as Secretary of the [ALEA], I charged Special Agents with our State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with this, no matter what area an Alabama citizen called home, they would feel safe and live without fear and not suffer the adverse impacts which often plague communities where the sell and use of these illegal narcotics occur. I am truly grateful to all our law enforcement partners at both the local and federal level. If not for their cooperation and diligent work this drug trafficking organization and the individuals associated with it would never have been brought to justice.”

The nine defendants were sentenced over the last XXXX

• On Dec. 7, Trenton Rashad Daniel, 28, a resident of Pike Road, was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Daniel pleaded guilty to the charges on Feb. 24.

• On Nov. 16, Jerrod Moss, 28, a resident of Opelika, was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Moss pleaded guilty to the charges on July 29.

• On Sept. 9, Davorious Marquise Ferrell, 26, a resident of Auburn, was sentenced to 111 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Ferrell pleaded guilty to the charges on April 22.

• On Aug. 25, Kiam Tyrek Lowery, 23, a resident of Tuskegee, was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Lowery pleaded guilty to the some areas. reality,” Luoma said. “After hearing about this opportunity, it was clear to me that this project represents exactly what The Westervelt Company is all about.”

Cooler weather is expected to follow Wednesday’s storms, and by the weekend temperatures are expected to be much below average.

As always, the National Weather Service emphasized the need for residents to have a reliable way of hearing tornado warnings, especially overnight. A NOAA weather radio and wireless emergency alerts enabled on your phone can notify you when your area is issued a tornado warning.

Westervelt Chief Operating Officer Cade Warner said the company’s mission is in preserving land.

“The Westervelt Company is a land stewardship organization with a long history in Alabama,” Warner said. “Westervelt Forest is a great way for us to share that commitment to land stewardship with youth and adults today and the generations that follow.”

The Westervelt Company, a privately held company headquartered in Tuscaloosa, was founded in 1884 and is currently under the fourth generation of family leadership. Westervelt is an industry leader in land management, wood products manufacturing and environmental mitigation. The company is recognized for excellence in sustainable forest manage- charge on May 24.

• On Aug. 23, Ricardo Devon Sheriff, 37, a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sheriff pleaded guilty to the charge on April 27.

• On June 30, 2022, Michael Javon Daniel, 28, also a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises. Daniel pleaded guilty to the charge on April 1.

• On June 17, Ladarius Dontae Davis, 33, a resident of Tallassee, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises. Davis pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 21.

• On May 31, Tre’von Miquel Lyles, 22, a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises. Lyles pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 26.

• On April 21, Marcus Joquin Wil - liams, 24, a Tuskegee resident, was sentenced to 147 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Williams pleaded guilty to the charges on Jan. 7.

All nine defendants were charged in a single indictment in Montgomery on Aug. 17, 2021. There is no parole in the federal system.

“The number of defendants in this case is a testament to the tremendous work being done all over the state of Alabama and in particular Macon County,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “Removing the people that sell drugs in our communities alongside our partners from ALEA will make our quality of life continue to improve.” ment, responsibly sourced forest products and services, natural resource stewardship and ecosystem conservation. With more than half a million acres of land under Westervelt management, Westervelt’s diverse businesses all work together to ensure the sustainable stewardship of natural resources today, tomorrow and for many generations to come.

This case was investigated by ALEA and the FBI, with assistance from the Tuskegee Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Kevin P. Davidson prosecuted the case.

AWF was established by sportsmen in 1935 and is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of AWF, a 501(c) 3 non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity. To learn more about Alabama Wildlife Federation, including membership details, programs and projects, contact AWF at 1-800822-WILD or visit www. alabamawildlife.org.

Chairman Tippy Hunter, General Manager Kaitlin Fleming, Managing Editor

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