19 charged in massive, three-state drug case

Authorities say trafficking operation may go back 15 years

Nineteen people have been charged in a sprawling drug conspiracy case involving sales of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine linked to dozens of overdose deaths in southeast Wisconsin, officials announced Wednesday.

“We all know by now that this drug epidemic is our state’s biggest public health crisis we’ve faced in many, many decades,” Attorney General Brad Schimel said at a news conference.

“The violence and suffering connected with the drug trade in Wisconsin is just immeasurable,” he said.

More than 250 federal, state and local law enforcement officers took part in searches and arrests in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

They seized about 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, a half kilogram of heroin, 21 guns, eight vehicles and an undetermined amount of cash.

Some of those arrested have been engaged in drug trafficking for more than 15 years, said Gregory Haanstad, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

“More recently, particularly over the last three or four years, these individuals in this organization regularly obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from their sources who primarily were in the state of Illinois,” he said.

Agents and officers built the case over two years with a “detailed financial investigation,” controlled buys of drugs, about 20 search warrants and authorized wiretaps on 18 phones, Haanstad said.

The drug ring operated in the Milwaukee area, and those arrested face various drug, money laundering and bankruptcy fraud offenses, including distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy, according to a news release.

If proven that the offenses involved either more than 1 kilogram of heroin or 5 kilograms of cocaine, those charged with drug offenses will face up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Those arrested Wednesday are: Clifton Morrison, 51; Jose Rodriguez, 67; Miguel Rodriguez, 68; Samuel Flores-Morales, 39; Luis Nevarez, 27; Brenda Y. Valverde, 29; Ronnie McFadden, 47; Dewayne Alexander Sr., 48; Frederick R. Perry, 56; David Wilder III, 50; Tommie Stevens, 41; Germaine D. Johnson, 35; Daniel S. Carter, 43; Don D. Walker-Cruse, 41; Ricky Christopher, 49; David D. Coleman, 39; Kellin R.L. Morrison, 33; Janine R. Hegwood, 51; and Dewayne Alexander Jr., 24.

Morrison is the leader of the drugtrafficking organization, according to court records.