TWELVE CHARGED IN JOLIET DRUG SWEEP

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was joined today by Fred Hayes, Chief of the Joliet, Illinois Police Department (JPD) and Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, in announcing the arrest of nine (9) Joliet area residents, who were charged with operating a large-scale, drug distribution ring. The arrests were made earlier today by FBI Special Agents and Officers of the JPD, without incident, at various locations throughout the City of Joliet. Three (3) additional individuals, identified later in this release, remain at large.

Those arrested today were charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago with violating federal drug laws. Three (3) others were previously charged in state court in connection with this two-year investigation, codenamed "Operation Wherehouse", which targeted the drug operation of BARRY V. WARE, age 46, of 812 Horseshoe Drive in Joliet.

According to the complaint, WARE, who is a reputed member of the Black Gangster Disciples street gang, is alleged to have overseen an operation that distributed multi-kilogram quantities of both powder and crack cocaine throughout the City of Joliet and surrounding communities. A second individual, identified as GREGORIO RODRIGUEZ, age 71, of 1015 Charlesworth Street, is alleged to have been the primary source of supply for WARE's operation. RODRIGUEZ is believed to be the Chicago area representative of an international drug cartel, which is responsible for the importation of large quantities of illegal drugs into the Will County area.

The joint FBI/JPD investigation which resulted in these charges utilized both undercover operations and the court authorized electronic surveillance of telephones used by the defendants in connection with their drug operations. This electronic surveillance led to the interception of hundreds of conversations dealing with the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

Seizure warrants were also issued for eighteen (18) vehicles alleged to have been used in connection with the operation of this drug ring. Also targeted for seizure by the Will County State's Attorney is the residence of RODRIGUIEZ, based on the belief that it was purchased with drug proceeds.

Others charged today are identified as MELVIN L. HOLMES, age 43, of 211 North Broadway, Joliet; LaQUINTA NATE MOFFETT, age 30, of 1107 Gale Drive, Joliet; BOBBY E. MITCHELL, age 48, of 812 2nd Avenue, Joliet; GARY L. McDONALD, age 44, of 503 Gardner Street, Joliet; GERALD T. LINDSEY, age 40, of 910 Cora Street, Joliet; JERMAINE McCANN, age 37, of 500 Bethel Street, Joliet; TERRY PETEN, age 40, of 461 South Joliet Street, Joliet; KEVIN WADDELL, age 33, of 6855 Eastside Street, Woodridge; DEVON TYLER, age 39, of 1103 Marion Street, Joliet and HOWARD L. BLANKENSHIP, age 38, of 1155 Black Road, Joliet.

In announcing these arrests, Mr. Grant wishes to recognize the dedication of the Joliet Police Department, whose tireless efforts led to the eventual penetration of WARE's operation. "Without the experience and intimate knowledge of the community which they are sworn to protect, the charges announced today might never have been obtained and Barry Ware and his underlings would still be peddling death and despair on the streets of Joliet" said Mr. Grant.

Said Chief Hayes "The Joliet Police Department continues to enjoy a great partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Operation Wherehouse is representative of the many cooperative efforts in which we have been involved. This investigation identified both members and associates of a street gang, who warehoused their money to obtain the best wholesale price of cocaine." Chief Hayes further stated, "It is expected that with these arrests, there will be a considerable reduction in the illegal drug trade in the City of Joliet, and things will not return to 'business as usual'. The charges announced today should send a clear message to anyone considering entering into this illicit trade that the Joliet Police Department remains committed to attacking the narcotics problem at every level in the city. An impressive level of cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement led to the charges announced today. The U.S. Attorney's office and FBI, working side-by-side with the Joliet Police Department, developed a comprehensive and successful strategy to reduce drug trafficking in Joliet."

Those arrested today are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez in Chicago on Wednesday, February 13th at 10:30 AM, when they will be formally charged. If convicted, all of those charged today face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years incarceration to a possible life sentence.

WARE, WADDELL, and MC DONALD have not yet been apprehended and are now the subjects of a nationwide manhunt, coordinated by the Chicago FBI. Anyone recognizing these individuals or having any information as to their current whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700 or the Joliet Police Department at (815) 724-3100.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Copies of the criminal complaint filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI's press office at (312) 829-1199.

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