BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– Federal prosecutors have secured convictions against four Talladega men in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama identified the four defendants. They are Tramarcus Fomby, 31; Flemmings Chatman, 44; Ladarious Quashawn Brown, 33; and Robert Houston Jr., 57.
A federal jury convicted Fomby, also known as “Slacc,” after five days of testimony last week. The jury found him guilty of conspiring to possess more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.
Chief U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala presided over the trial.
Prosecutors expected Chatman, also known as “Boo Bang,” to stand trial with Fomby. However, he pleaded guilty when the trial began. His charge involved conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.
Brown, also known as “Eastside Jack,” had previously pleaded guilty. In July, a judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison. His conviction involved more than five kilograms of methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, Houston pleaded guilty earlier this month for his role in the same conspiracy.
“The defendants have repeatedly engaged in criminal conduct with disregard for the law,” U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. said. He added that federal, state, and local agencies would continue targeting drug traffickers.
Investigation Focused on Talladega Drug Organization
According to prosecutors, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a Talladega-area drug organization in January 2024. Investigators identified Chatman as the organization’s leader.
In late September 2024, prosecutors said Brown, Fomby, and Chatman pooled money for approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine. Chatman and Fomby each gave Brown $5,000 toward that purchase.
Later, Brown told Chatman that he had discarded the drugs during a police pursuit, according to the release.
The three men then pooled their money for another purchase. Prosecutors said they planned to recover their losses from the earlier transaction.
This time, Brown, Chatman, and Houston traveled from Talladega to Atlanta in two vehicles. They planned to buy approximately six kilograms of methamphetamine for Brown, Chatman, and Fomby.
Chatman purchased the methamphetamine and placed it inside Houston’s vehicle, prosecutors said. However, Chatman and Brown rode together in the other vehicle during the return trip.
The vehicles traveled together toward Talladega. Meanwhile, Talladega Drug Task Force officers and DEA agents waited along Alabama Highway 21.
Officers later stopped Houston and searched his vehicle. During the search, they seized nearly 4,600 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Federal, State, and Local Agencies Investigated
The DEA’s Birmingham Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Birmingham Division investigated the conspiracy.
Several state and local agencies also assisted. They included the Talladega County Drug Task Force and the Seventh Judicial Circuit Major Crimes Unit.
In addition, the Talladega Police Department, Talladega County Sheriff’s Office, and Oxford Police Department took part.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory R. Dimler and Scott Woodard prosecuted the case.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Indiana Man Indicted After Allegedly Traveling to Marshall County to Meet Minor
Three Anniston Men Among Four Indicted in Calhoun County Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy
You must be logged in to post a comment.