Ten Arrested in Alleged Drug Trafficking Enterprise

TYLER – Ten persons have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into alleged drug trafficking in the Henderson area. Around 6:00 Wednesday morning, a combined task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies began executing 10 federal arrest warrants for defendants charged in an alleged conspiracy to distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine in and around Henderson 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 were scheduled for initial court appearances in Tyler Wednesday: Deric Lamont Sheppard, aka “Big Shep,” 32, of Henderson; Master Markeith Lacy, aka “Kiki,” 36, of Henderson; Justin Lamark Porter, 23, of Overton; Ernest Vantrezes Mallard, aka “Duck,” 30, of Henderson; Derek Lamarcus Horton, aka “Null Null,” 27, of Kilgore; 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. Travis Lanard Porter, aka “Nard,” aka “Travis Deamon,” 35, of Henderson, and Johnny Ray Smith, Jr., 33, of Henderson, will make their initial court appearances next week.

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.