Feds charge 21-Des Moines residents with trafficking heroin, fentanyl

(Des Moines, IA) -- A large drug enforcement effort this week has resulted in 21-Des Moines residents charged, after an investigation into a heroin and fentanyl drug trafficking organization.

Acting U.S Attorney Richard Westphal says charges are also being filed against an individual from Knoxville, Iowa and five residents of Chicago, Illinois. Most were arrested Wednesday, July 21st, three have yet to be arrested.

Those charged with federal drug offenses include:

*Malek Shawn Holmes, age 21, of Des Moines

• Pierre Fontain Black, age 30, of Des Moines

• Deshawn Levell Greer, age 29, of Des Moines

• Desmond Lamar Howard, age 30, of Des Moines

• Carl Murphy, age 52, of Chicago, Illinois

• Earl Otis Clay, III, age 29, of Des Moines

• Gregory Izell Spight, age 42, of Des Moines

• Michael Byrd, age 28, of Chicago, Illinois

• Azim Abdul-Ahad, age 22, of Des Moines

• Ronald Harris, age 35, of Des Moines

• Derrick Fleming, age 27, of Chicago, Illinois

• Patrick Staples, age 28, of Chicago, Illinois

• Brandon Reed, age 28, of Chicago, Illinois

• Tabaris Brown, age 22, of Des Moines

• Dandre Cox, age 21, of Des Moines

• Daeante Dewayne Neely, age 28, of Des Moines 2

• Elijah Seymour, age 33, of Des Moines

• Felicia Olson, age 29, of Des Moines

• Sarah Hume, age 39, of Des Moines

• Andrew Price, age 29, of Des Moines

• Jason Beaman, age 46, of Knoxville

• Jamisha Canada, age 44, of Des Moines

• Tonie Canada, age 39, of Des Moines

• Rickey’a Dee Jackson, age 22, of Des Moines

• Devante Jave Taylor, age 26, of Des Moines

• Tyler Robert Wood, age 30, of Des Moines

• Zakar Jeffrey, age 28, of Des Moines .

All defendants arrested on July 21 have or will soon appear in federal court. The charges stem from a months' long investigation in heroin and fentanyl distribution in the Des Moines area. The charges carry maximum penalties of up to life in prison.