The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan has announced the grand jury indictment of eight defendants in Southwest Michigan for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and related offenses as part of a sweeping drug bust that took place between last year and this spring.
U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey says the indictments were handed down April 14 for the most recent eight suspects, which come in addition to six that were charged previously. 12 of the 14 total suspects are from Benton Harbor, while one is from Berrien Springs and one is from Kalamazoo.
VerHey says the investigation began after agents learned a group of Benton Harbor drug traffickers were obtaining large quantities of meth and other drugs through third-party carriers out-of-state.
In November, investigators executed more than a dozen search warrants in Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, St. Joseph, and Kalamazoo, resulting in the seizure of nearly a kilogram of fentanyl, more than 500 grams of cocaine, more than $40,000 in cash, and several firearms.
Several Southwest Michigan police agencies worked with a coalition of federal agencies to bring about the arrest of the suspects. Verhey says the investigation shows the power of collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
The eight defendants indicted on April 14 are listed below:
United States v. Echols, et al., No. 1:26-cr-00035
| Name | Age | Residence | Status and Charges |
| Shawn Bernard Echols,
a/k/a “Doe,” “Brother-in-Law” |
56 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances |
| Lamont Roquinton Thomas, a/k/a “Jug,” “Jughead” | 52 | Berrien Springs,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
| Anthony Lynn Lloyd,
a/k/a “Amp” |
54 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl |
| Adrian Linn Travier | 36 | Kalamazoo,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of Methamphetamine |
| Lamar Edward Sanders | 47
|
Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances |
| Keith Trayvon Curtis
a/k/a “Tray,” “Nephew” |
35 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances |
| Lue Chanel Williams | 54 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Commit Concealment Money Laundering and False Statement within the Jurisdiction of the United States |
United States v. Traylor, No. 1:26-cr-00036
| Name | Age | Residence | Status and Charges |
| Gregory Levell Traylor,
a/k/a “Vell” |
47 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine |
The six defendants previously indicted are listed below:
United States v. Ballard, et al., No. 1:26-cr-00016
| Name | Age | Residence | Status and Charges |
| Korey Demichael Ballard,
a/k/a “Dizzle” |
31 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of Methamphetamine and Cocaine |
| Charles Xavier Williams | 41 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of Methamphetamine |
| Deshun Lee Holmes | 38 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Pending Guilty Plea – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine |
| Demyron Lashun Robinson | 42 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Indicted – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Distribution of Cocaine |
United States v. Scott, et al., No. 1:25-cr-00176
| Name | Age | Residence | Status and Charges |
| Michael Deanglo Scott,
a/k/a “Bink,” “Binky” |
32 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Pled Guilty – Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
| Michael Devontae Scott,
a/k/a “Big Head” |
33 | Benton Harbor,
Michigan |
Pled Guilty – Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |