Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Indicts Seven for Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Firearm Offense

Press Release

Louisville, KY - A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on November 5, 2024, charging six men and one woman with methamphetamine and fentanyl conspiracy and distribution charges. One of the defendants was also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police made the announcement.

According to the indictment, 6 defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Beginning as early as February 22, 2024, and continuing through November 4, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The defendants charged in the first indictment are:

• Avaron Sims, 32, of Long Beach, California
• Julio Contreras, 34, of Long Beach, California
• Patrick Russo, 30, of Corona, California
• Maleek Spalding, 26, of Louisville
• Dominque Farris, 27, of Louisville
• Jaron Blincoe Robinson, 25, of Louisville
• Amanda Foley, 42, of Louisville.

Spalding is also charged with twelve counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Farris is also charged with six counts of distribution of fentanyl and five counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

Robinson is also charged with two counts of distribution of fentanyl.

Foley is also charged with one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

Spalding, Farris, and Robinson made their initial court appearance this week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered Spalding and Farris detained, and Farris released, pending trial.

Sims made his initial court appearance this week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The Court ordered Sims released pending trial.

Contreras, Russo, and Foley have not yet been arrested and are considered federal fugitives. Anyone with information regarding their location can contact the FBI Louisville office at 502-263-6000 or tips.fbi.gov.

If convicted, each of the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, LMPD, and KSP, with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Los Angeles, California Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Updated November 15, 2024