News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2002

ARREST FOCUS ON CRACK COCAINE DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATION

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that a crack cocaine distribution organization operating in the Midland area.

Six Midland residents were arrested this morning after being indicted by a federal grand jury last month, charge with various violations of federal narcotics laws involving crack cocaine. Arrested this morning were:

• Nicholas Shan BARRON, age 30, of Midland
• Donna EADEN, age 27, of Midland
• Latoya GOLDEN, age 21, of Midland
• Leroy MODKINS, age 49, of Midland (In custody in Big Spring, Texas)
• David SOLEWIN, age 32, of Midland
• Terry STEWART, age 33, of Midland

The defendants arrested today will have their initial appearances in Midland before United States Magistrate Judge L. Stuart Platt on Friday, April 5.

Midland DEA, Midland Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety have worked together on this undercover investigation for over a year, targeting crack cocaine distributors in the Midland area.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If convicted on all charges, defendants face federal imprisonment.

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton praised the exceptionally coordinated efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Midland Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshal's Service, Midland County Sheriff's Department and Odessa Police Department. These cases are being prosecuted by Jeff Parras and Mark Roomberg of the Midland United States Attorney's Office.

For additional information contact Supervisory Special Vince Sparacino in Midland at (915) 686-4110.