'Operation Take Back America' nets nearly 2 dozen drug and gun arrests in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly two dozen people suspected of trafficking in fentanyl and meth have been charged after an ongoing joint operation involving local and federal law enforcement agencies that spanned from Kentucky to California.

That's according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Kentucky's western district.

Agents said the alleged drug dealers put meth and fentanyl on the streets but disguised them as legal prescriptions. They seized more than 120 guns -- many of them stolen from vehicles, according to officials.

"Because of the seizure a significant amount of dope and firearms have been taken off the streets of Louisville," said Kyle Bumgarner, Western District of Kentucky U.S. Attorney.

Many of the suspects -- including at least half a dozen from California -- were charged on May 6 by a federal grand jury in Louisville after separate indictments for trafficking in meth, fentanyl and money laundering offenses.

The cases were prosecuted by the Kentucky Homeland Security Task Force as part of "Operation Take Back America."

"I should make a broader statement for those that are roaming the streets, wreaking havoc on our city, pumping poison on our streets and committing violent crime," said Bumgarner. "Under 'Operation Take Back America" the men and women standing next to me are united to take back Louisville. We are each committed to driving violence from the city and the dope from our neighborhoods."

First Indictment

Nine men were charged in the May 6 indictment, including:

James Havlicheck, 34 of California
Rodney Hollie, 38, of California
Joseph Nguyen, 38 of California
Minh Ngo, 40, of California
Kevin Nguyen, 30 of California
Johnathan Nguyen, 30, of California
Ordell Smith, Jr., 38, of Louisville
Vanray O'Neal, 38, of Louisville
Darren Render, 33, of Louisville

Havlicheck, Hollie, Joseph Nguyen, Ngo, Kevin Nguyen and Johnahan Nguyen are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Smith Jr. is charged with four counts of distributing meth 50 grams or more.

O'Neal is facing three counts of distributing meth and two counts of firearms trafficking.

Render is charged with four counts of firearms trafficking, four counts of possession of a firearms by a prohibited person, three counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of distributing heroin, and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime.

Second Indictment

The following men were charged in a second May 6 indictment:

Antonio Taylor, 39, of Louisville
Terry Matthews, 44, of Louisville
Dylan Bradley, 21, of Louisville
Demetrius Brown, 42, of Louisville
Dominic McCray, 30, of Louisville
Joshua James, 42, of Louisville
Gregory Jackson, 34,of Louisville
Thai Quoc Tran, 24, of Louisville
Devon Wilson, 43, of Louisville

Taylor, Matthews, Bradley, Brown, McCray, James, and Jackson were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Taylor was also charged with one count of distributing 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of distributing a controlled substance.

Matthews is also charged with one count of distributing 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, three counts of distributing 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, two counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of distributing a controlled substance.

Bradley is charged with three counts of distributing 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of distributing 50 grams of meth, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Brown is charged with one count of distributing 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of distributing 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

McGray is charged with one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.

James and Jackson are also charged with one count of distributing 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture.

Tran is charged with one count of distributing 50 grams of meth.

Wilson is charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

If convicted, Taylor, Matthews, Bradley, Brown, James, Jackson and Tran face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum life sentence. McCray faces a maximum sentence of 10 years, and Wilson faces a maximum 15-year sentence.

Matthews and McCray have not yet been federally arrested, according to the release.

Third Indictment

Two more men were charged in a third indictment in Louisville:

Mark Foster, Jr., 33, of Louisville
Devante Rice, 30, of Louisville

Foster is charged with distribution of fentanyl, 10 counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, seven counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, and one count of firearms trafficking.

Rice is charged with 11 counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one count of firearms trafficking, and two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.

If convicted, Foster faces mandatory minimum sentence of 70 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Rice faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on each count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and firearms trafficking, as well as a 10-year maximum sentence for two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.

The investigation also resulted in the seizure of numerous guns, several of which had been reported stolen from vehicles in the area.

Fourth Indictment

Another four men were charged in a fourth indictment on May 21, 2025:

Antonio Taylor (age and location unavailable)
Joshua James (age and location unavailable)
Celotia Evans, 39, of Louisville
Jaremei Hinkle, 24, of Louisville

All four are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Hinkle is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture.

James is also charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a meth mixture.

Taylor is also charged with engaging in monetary transactions derived from specific unlawful activities and laundering of a money instrument during his purchase of a vehicle.

If convicted, Taylor, James, Evans and Hinkle all face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, and a maximum of life in prison.

There is no parole in the federal system.

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