Gang members sentenced in drug scheme

SMITH COUNTY — Two additional gang members have been sentenced in connection to a crack cocaine trafficking scheme that led to the arrest of several people during a lengthy investigation last year. According to an arrest warrant, Derrish Graydon and Jeffery Padilla were involved in a 12-person operation of distributing narcotics and engaging in a money-laundering conspiracy connected to the 5-2 Hoover Crips street gang.

On March 5, 2025, Tyler Police Department officers surveilled a residence at 1101 N. Moore, believed to have crack cocaine, evidence of narcotics sales and usage inside. Officers observed that Padilla left the residence on several occasions while attempting to conduct counter-surveillance, the warrant said. Graydon was also observed to leave the location and later meet Samatraus Forge, who was spearheading the operation by investigators. After Graydon met with Forge and returned to the residence on North Moore, several people began coming and going, indicating narcotics sales.

Officers conducted a controlled purchase from the residence a week later, where Padilla sold an informant .4 grams of crack cocaine. Additionally, Graydon later sold an informant 3.2 grams.

Following further investigation and more controlled purchases, the Tyler Police Department were able to arrest Graydon, Padilla, Forge and several others for their involvement in selling crack cocaine and being suspected gang members.

Graydon and Padilla were arrested on Sept. 29, 2025, on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, two of which were later dismissed for both.

After pleading guilty on May 27, the 475th judicial court judge sentenced Graydon to 20 years in prison. Padilla, who also pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 25 years.

The nine other defendants are awaiting trial for their charges.