Twenty-Four Suspects In Milwaukee Charged By Feds With Heroin, Cocaine Trafficking And Firearms Offenses In Wisconsin

24 suspects from Milwaukee were indicted by feds for drug trafficking and firearms violations.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 26, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced in a press release that federal charges were filed against 24 defendants associated with a violent drug trafficking organization in Milwaukee known as the Buffum Meinecke Boys.

All 24 suspects indicted and charged by the feds reside in Milwaukee and are identified as:

• Ramone Locke, 33, aka, Mone/Money Mone

• Jesus Puentes, 33, aka, JP

• Michael Smith, 37, aka, M&M  (not in custody) 

• Victor Gonzalez, 34, aka, Bey Bey

• Garrell Hughes, 33, aka, Rello

• Lamar Johnson, 32, aka, Fresh

• Rico Smith, 29, aka, Rico

• Michael Wilson, 34, aka, Big Mike (not in custody) 

• Amir Locke, 34, aka, Mir/Big Mir

• Joey Vazquez, 34, aka, Joey

• Coury Agee, 33, aka, Lil C/C-Smooth (not in custody) 

• Louis Bates, 31, aka, Little Louis

• Tyrone Bryant, 28, aka, Ty (not in custody) 

• Dennis King, 35, aka, Dee Dee

• Derrell Taylor, 31, aka, D

• Luis Lorenzo, 34, aka, Pito (not in custody) 

• Nicholas Weldon, 29, aka, Tick

• Deon Butts, 38, aka, Stingy/Big Stingy

• Maureno Briggs, 29, aka, Reno (not in custody) 

• Dawan Turner, 18, aka, Big Wan

• Jasmaine Linton, 38, aka, Jas (not in custody) 

• Alfonso Greer, 20, aka, Goo

• Juiquin Pinkard, 35, aka, Quincy and 

• Charles McCollum, 32.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging fifteen of the defendants with conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, at least five kilograms or more of powder cocaine, at least 280 grams or more of "crack" cocaine, and greater than 50 kilograms of marijuana.  If convicted of this conspiracy charge, those 15 defendants face a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison.  One of the co-conspirators, Victor Gonzalez, was also charged with unlawful possession of 37 firearms.  Nine other defendants were charged with distribution of heroin or cocaine or illegally possessing firearms.       

On February 25, 2020, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested 17 of these defendants in a coordinated enforcement operation.  Throughout the course of the investigation, officers recovered over 900 grams of heroin, over 150 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 20 kilograms of marijuana, almost $300,000 in U.S. currency, and 53 firearms. 

"Every Milwaukee resident deserves to live in a secure neighborhood, free from groups who wield guns and pedal dangerous drugs," said United States Attorney Krueger.  "This joint law enforcement action is another example of our unwavering commitment to fight gun violence and drug trafficking.  I commend the excellent law enforcement cooperation, led by the FBI, to build this case."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes stated "The FBI, with its partners, stand committed to reducing the negative impact of gangs responsible for gun violence, illegal drugs and homicides.  Working together, we are dedicated to making Milwaukee a safe place to live, work, and enjoy all our city has to offer."

"The Milwaukee law enforcement agencies continue to show our resolve by working together to investigate and prosecute violent drug organizations like the Buffum Meinecke Boys.  The residents of Milwaukee deserve to live in neighborhoods free of drug related violence, and this investigation is another step to provide that freedom," said DEA Milwaukee District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul E. Maxwell, Jr.

The defendants were charged based on joint investigation by law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Southeastern Wisconsin Gang Task Force, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the IRS-Criminal Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura S. Kwaterski and Kevin C. Knight.

Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the arrests and execution of search warrants yesterday, including Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI's Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Gang Task Force, Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Racine Police Department, Racine County Sheriff's Office, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, FBI's Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Marathon County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Wausau Police Department, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, FBI's South Central Wisconsin Regional Gang Task Force, Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff's Office, FBI Chicago Field Office, FBI Minneapolis Field Office, FBI's Critical Incident Response Group – HRT

Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, United States Marshal's Service, St. Francis Police Department, Cudahy Police Department, West Allis Police Department, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security, North Central HIDTA

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods' strategy brings together all levels of law enforcement and community resources to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in all our neighborhoods, according to U.S. Attorney Krueger.

The public is cautioned that an indictment or criminal complaint is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.