Seven defendants have been charged by a federal Grand Jury for dealing methamphetamine in and around Owensboro, according to U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman.
Multiple partner agencies are involved in the investigations including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Owensboro Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, and the Kentucky State Police.
“The Owensboro Police Department is committed to aggressively pursuing those who continue to prey on some of our most vulnerable citizens by exploiting their addictions for financial gain,” Owensboro Police Chief Art Ealum said in a release. “We are grateful for the united front displayed by our federal, state and local partners to combat drug trafficking in the Greater Owensboro Metropolitan Area.”
According to a release, the following defendants were charged:
James Frasier, 39, of Henderson
Frasier has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. According to the indictment, as early as Sept. 23, 2019, and continuing through Dec. 20, 2019, Frasier conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, the charge carries no less than a mandatory 10 years in federal prison. He also faces a charge of distribution of methamphetamine. The second charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years. There is no parole in the federal system.
Christopher Raley, 31, of Owensboro
Raley has been charged in a separate federal indictment with two charges. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a charge that carries no less than 5 years imprisonment. Raley is also charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, for his possession of a Glock 19 and ammunition. Raley was previously convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine in 2016 and receiving stolen property in 2015, both felonies. The charge carries a penalty of no more than 10 years, if convicted.
Arthur J. Abbeduto, 26, of Whitesville
Abbeduto has been charged in a single-count indictment. According to the indictment, on or about July 19, 2019, he knowingly possessed with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The charge carries no less than 10 years in federal prison, if convicted.
Stephen Autry, 44, of Owensboro
Christina Ray, 35, of Owensboro
George Quarles, 45, of Hopkinsville
Autry, Ray and Quarles are all charged in a single-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. According to the indictment, beginning on at least Jan. 24, 2020, and continuing up to and through Feb. 11, 2020, the three knowingly and intentionally conspired with one another and others to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, the charge carries no less than 10 years in federal prison.
David E. Brown, 43, of Henderson
Brown faces charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to the complaint, in a post-Miranda interview, Brown admitted to trafficking and distributing multiple pound quantities of methamphetamine for the last four years, approximately. During a search, law enforcement seized numerous items, including a large amount of currency, a money counter, a drug ledger, two digital scales, a loaded .22 caliber Phoenix Arms brand handgun, approximately 10 grams of a substance that had a presumptive field test for cocaine, numerous bags believed to contain over 1,000 grams of marijuana, and a large bag containing pills presumed to be ecstasy.
