An 18-month investigation into fentanyl trafficking in Paducah culminated this week in the arrests of 14 people. A total of 23 people were charged in the operation.
Spurred by an increase in the amount of fentanyl seen locally and the number of fentanyl overdose cases, Paducah Police Department drug detectives began an investigation in early 2021 into the organized sale of the drug. Those arrested included repeat offenders with lengthy criminal histories and two generations of the same family.
Wednesday morning, Paducah police officers and FBI agents began arresting those indicted for possessing and selling fentanyl. So far, 14 of the 23 people charged have been arrested.
Police served search warrants at five homes Wednesday morning, resulting in the seizure of a large amount of cash and fentanyl pills. So far in the investigation, detectives have seized about 8,000 fentanyl pills, six handguns, two rifles and more than $242,000 cash. The average price of a fentanyl pill on the street is about $25, putting the street value of the seized pills at approximately $200,000.
All of those arrested were booked into the McCracken County Regional Jail, except several who already were in jail on other charges. Those individuals were served their warrants in jail.
Photographs of all 23 suspects are posted on the Paducah Police Department’s Facebook page.
The Paducah Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance: FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Illinois State Police, McCracken County Sheriff’s Department and Kentucky Probation and Parole.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges and arrested are expected.
ARRESTED
• Jasmine D. Baker, 19, of Ohio Street, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Garrett E. Beach, 26, of Metropolis, IL, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
2017 – Possession of burglary tools
• Avian M. Costello, 37, of Jack Gray Drive, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Lavance N. Davenport Sr., 46, of South 6th Street, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
On federal probation for distribution of crack cocaine
2011 – Distribution of a controlled substance
2011 – Possession with intent to distribute
2008 – Supervised probation
2003 – Distribution of cocaine
2001 – First-degree assault
2000 – Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
2000 – Carrying a concealed weapon (by a felon)
• Lavanti N. Davenport, 20, of Levin Avenue, four counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Enrico G. Fuhr, 28, of North 23rd Street, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Johnny B. Harmon III, 30, of Park Avenue, three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
On probation for 2021 Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and 2019 First-degree wanton endangerment
• De’Tysha L. Laster, 23, of Coronado Court, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Christopher J. Russell, 37, of Jack Gray Drive, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
2021 – Fraud (Florida)
2015 – Grand theft from dwelling (Florida)
• Samuel G. Shocklee, 23, of Calvert City, KY, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Cameron Shumpert, 29, of Levin Avenue, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense)
2019 – Use of a minor in a sexual performance
2019 – Trafficking in marijuana
2019 – Promoting contraband
2017 – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
2017 – Tampering with physical evidence
2012 – Trafficking in a controlled substance
• Dorian Q. Shumpert, 31, of Glenwood Drive, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense)
2018 – First-degree promoting contraband
2015 – Trafficking in a controlled substance
2011 – Trafficking in cocaine
• Dominick D. Tyler, 19, of Grand Rivers, KY, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Paul G. West, 25, of Lone Oak Road, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense)
2021 – Fleeing or evading police
2021 – Fleeing or evading police
2021 – Trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
2021 – Possession of a controlled substance
INDICTED – NOT YET ARRESTED
• Michael J. Abbage, 24, of Levin Avenue, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
On probation for 2021 criminal possession of a forged instrument
2015 – Second-degree robbery
• Romeneo L. Beard, 21, of Levin Avenue, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Michelle L. Cohoon, 45, of Grogan Circle, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Lisa D. Collins, 47, of Otis Dinning Drive, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and speeding/10mph over limit
• Lavance N. Davenport Jr., 27, of South 6th Street, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense)
On probation for 2021 first-degree fleeing and evading police
2021 – Second-degree fleeing and evading
2021 – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
2021 – Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
2021 – Receiving stolen property
2016 – Trafficking in marijuana
2016 – First-degree wanton endangerment
2016 – Tampering with evidence
• Channing T. Grentzer, 24, of Stately Vision Lane, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• McKenzie N. Hopkins, 21, of Ledbetter, KY, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
• Xavier R. Mcphee, 34, of Walter Jetton Drive, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and operating on a suspended/revoked operator’s license
• Victor A. Morales-Martinez, 24, of Mayfield, KY, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)
