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Beginning in 2018, the DEA and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office partnered in an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization responsible for distributing kilogram amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl within Okaloosa County, Florida. Named Operation Songbird, the years long investigation utilized numerous investigative techniques to identify members of the Drug Trafficking Organization and locations utilized by the Drug Trafficking Organization.
The investigation revealed that Joshua Kim BAILEY was the head of the DTO selling large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine to various individuals within Okaloosa County for further distribution.
In May 2019, six search warrants were executed on locations utilized by the Drug Trafficking Organization. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of 31 lbs crystal methamphetamine, 4.9 kg heroin, 2.5 kg cocaine, 1.5 kg marijuana, and 1.6 kg suspected fentanyl pressed into approximately 5,000 Xanax and 1,000 oxycodone pills.
After the execution of search warrants, the investigation continued to identify BAILEY’s source of supply. Through various investigative techniques, it was determined that BAILEY’s source of supply was Ira ALSTON, who resided in Atlanta, Georgia. Furthermore, it was determined that ALSTON was providing BAILEY with approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and four kilograms of heroin every two weeks for BAILEY to distribute within Okaloosa County.
In January 2021, with assistance from the DEA Atlanta Field Office, members of the DEA Pensacola Office and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested ALSTON in Atlanta, Georgia, for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin, 400 grams or more of Fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
As a result, on August 25, 2022, ALSTON was convicted and sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.
Total Seizures
Methamphetamine – Approximately 18 kilograms
Heroin – Approximately 8.4 kilograms
Cocaine – Approximately 2.8 kilograms
Marijuana – Approximately 5.4 kilograms
Misc. Pharmaceuticals – 2.5 kilograms
US Currency – $217,153
Vehicles – $133,037
Jewelry – $157,315.00
Other DTO Members sentenced
Joshua Kim BAILEY – 300 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as an armed career criminal;
Stephanie MACNEW- 120 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances;
Alexander EVANS – 75 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances
Stephen Scott WILSON – 120 months for two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances;
Henry Clay WHITE IV – 120 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and four counts possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon;
Nicolas Dre LATSON – 69 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and violation of federal supervised release;
Jonah JACK- FULLER – 66 months for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
Barry Dewayne HARRELSON – 360 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as an armed career criminal;
Milton PRUITT – 36 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Alston mug shot not available.
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