From staff reports
BIRMINGHAM- A Trussville man has been arrested along with 10 others after the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Narcotics unit, along with several federal, county and municipal law enforcement agencies arrested them Monday. Officials say Operation Needle Breaker is a strategic operation aimed at combating the illegal distribution and trafficking of heroin in Alabama.
Jon Gabriel Furman photo Jefferson County Jail
“Operation Needle Breaker was developed in an effort to make a direct and significant impact on the sale, distribution, and trafficking of heroin within the northern sectors of the State of Alabama,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said in a press release. “SBI is committed to continue to team with federal and local partners to disrupt the production and distribution of illegal drugs in our state.”
After identifying several alleged heroin distributors, the SBI conducted investigations involving multiple suspects in seven different counties. The unit seized approximately 150 grams of heroin.
The arrests include five felony trafficking in heroin cases and 15 felony distribution of heroin charges.
Jon Gabriel Furman, 26, of Trussville, was arrested on two counts of distributing heroin and is being held in the Jefferson County jail. The others who were arrested are:
- Undrico Dion Ferguson, 38, of Ensley, was charged with one count trafficking heroin and is being held in the Jefferson County jail.
- Cedric Jones, 28, of Birmingham, was charged with two counts trafficking heroin and three counts distribution heroin and is being held in the Jefferson County jail.
- Justin Robinson, 28, of Birmingham, was charged with one count of trafficking heroin and is being held in the Jefferson County jail.
- Fleming Austin Payton, 48, Huntsville, was charged with two counts distribution heroin and is being held in the Madison County jail.
- Bretton Vaughn, 39, of Athens, was charged with two counts distribution of heroin and is being held in the Limestone County jail.
- Jonathan M. Sims, 37, of Jasper, was charged with one count distribution of heroin and is being held in the Walker County jail.
- Kevin D. McGhee, 28, of Jasper, was charged with one count of distribution of heroin and one count trafficking heroin and being held in the Walker County jail.
- Travis Leonard Moore, 27, of Parrish, was charged with one count distribution of heroin and is being held in the Walker County jail.
- Daniel Earl Smith, 32, of Arley, was charged with two counts of distribution of controlled substance and is being held in the Winston County jail.
- Casey Champion, 28, of Jacksonville, was charged with one count of distribution of heroin and is being held in the Calhoun County jail.
