----- Original Message -----
From: Newton Walter W (DSP)
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 6:17 PM
Subject: DSP News Release - 7 Month Narcotics Investigation Nets Arrests

NEWS RELEASE
DELAWARE STATE POLICE
Superintendent Colonel Robert M. Coupe

Sgt Walter Newton
P.O. Box 430| Dover, DE 19903

DSP News Release: 7 Month Narcotics Investigation Nets Arrests

Location: Lewes, Milton, and Milford, Sussex County, DE

Resume:

Delaware State Police, DEA Dover Task Force, Dover Police Department, Milford Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Probation and Parole and Dewey Beach Police Department have concluded a 7 month investigations that results in the arrest of 7 individuals for narcotics racketeering and related drug charges after several raids were conducted. In addition 6 suspects are still wanted as a result of the investigation.

On Thursday, August 13, police executed 7 search warrants in the Lewes, Milton and Milford areas of Sussex County in connection with the investigation. As a result of this investigation Devaughn Ayers was implicated as a main supplier of cocaine and crack cocaine in the Lewes / Pinetown area. Ayers used a residence located at 30093 Pinetown Road and 17716 Cone Lane in the Lewes area. Ayers and several co-conspirators were responsible for the distribution of over 1 kilogram of cocaine.

When Ayers was arrested on Thursday on Pinetown Road and was found in possession of 100.5 grams of crack cocaine and paraphernalia. A search warrant executed at Cone Lane resulted in the seizure of several handguns and a shotgun and additional paraphernalia. Most of the items were in a BMW parked in the residence which was maintained by Ayers. He was arrested for Organized Crime and Racketeering, 7 counts of Trafficking Cocaine, Possession with the intent to Deliver Cocaine, Maintaining a Vehicle, 14 counts of Conspiracy 2nd, 9 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 5 counts of delivery of Cocaine, 8 counts of Criminal Solicitation 2nd, and 4 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Receiving a Stolen Firearm. He was committed to the Department of Correction in default of $631, 500 cash bond.

A subsequent warrant was executed at the home of Anthony and Steven Francis located at 30213 Regetta Bay Blvd., Heron Bay, Lewes. As a result of the search police recovered 233 grams of marijuana.

Anthony Francis was charged with Organized Crime and Racketeering, 2 counts of Conspiracy 2nd , 2 counts of Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Possession with the Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling, Tampering with Physical Evidence, 2 counts of Possession of Paraphernalia and 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Anthony was committed to the Department of Correction in default of $3,500 bail

Steven Francis was charged with Maintaining a Dwelling, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Steven was released on $3,500 bail.

A search warrant executed at Wayne Wyatt’s residence, 28468 West Springside Drive, Harbeson resulted in Wyatt’s arrest. He was charged with Organized Crime and Racketeering and 3 counts of Conspiracy 2nd. Wyatt was committed to the Department of Correction in default of $36,000 bail.

A warrant executed at the home of Michael Brewer and Mary McNeill located at 509 Burton Village, Rehoboth Beach resulted in the seizure of 41.7 grams of crack cocaine and paraphernalia. McNeill was taken into custody and charged with Trafficking Cocaine, Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine, Maintaining a Dwelling, Conspiracy 2nd, 2 counts possession of drug paraphernalia and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. McNeill was committed on $87,500 bail. Brewer was not present at the time of the raid. Brewer is wanted by the state police for Trafficking Cocaine, Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine, Maintaining a Dwelling, Conspiracy 2nd and 2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Milford Police executed a search warrant at the home of James Eley, located at 412 Bridgeham Ave., Milford. Eley was charged with Organized Crime and Racketeering and 3 counts of Conspiracy 2nd. Eley was committed on a no cash bond.

In addition Zelda Sheppard, 40, of Milton, was arrested on Pinetown Road during the raid. She was in possession of 21 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. She was arrested for Possession with the Intent to Deliver Marijuana and 2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Troopers are also actively looking for the above subjects who are wanted of racketeering and drug charges.

Suspect(s):

Devaugh Ayers, 26, 400 block Ocean Court, Shipbuilders Village, Milton

Anthony Francis, 25, 30213 Regetta Bay Blvd, Heron Bay, Lewes

Steven Francis, 27, 30213 Regetta Bay Blvd, Heron Bay, Lewes

Wayne Wyatt, 49, 28468 West Springside Drive, Harbeson

Mary McNeill, 36, 509 Burton Village, Rehoboth

James Eley, 24, 412 Bridgeham Ave., Milford

NO PHOTO: Zelda Sheppard, 40, 15204 Hudson Road, Milton

WANTED PERSONS:

Russell Ayers, 23, Lewes

Michael Brewer, 31, Burton Village, Rehoboth

NO PHOTO: Terrance Johnson, 28, of Lewes

Stephen White, 26, of Lincoln

NO PHOTO: Lawrence Micclhe, 35, Dagsboro

Jacob Svenson, 27, Dagsboro