Local Drug Trafficking Organization Dismantled by Joint Federal and State Investigation

Paducah, KY - On February 11, 2026, a federal Grand Jury in Paducah returned an Indictment charging four people with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in McCracken County.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Chief Brian Laird of the Paducah Police Department, Sheriff Ryan Norman of the McCracken County Sheriff's Office, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division, Chief Jason Newby of the Hopkinsville Police Department, Chief Steve Bryan of the Madisonville Police Department, Sheriff Nicky Knight of the Calloway County Sheriff's Office, and Nathan Kent of the Mayfield Police Department made the announcement.

According to court documents, federal and state partners have been investigating Demarlo Henderson, 41, of Paducah, Kentucky, and his drug trafficking organization (DTO), including Lafaeabeian Stingley, 54, of Hickory, Kentucky, and others for the past several months. Henderson has two prior federal convictions for trafficking in cocaine and is currently on federal supervision in the Western District of Kentucky. Between December 12, 2024, and January 18, 2026, the group obtained and distributed large amounts of cocaine in and around McCracken County. On January 8, 2026, federal search warrants were executed at numerous residences and locations in McCracken and Graves Counties. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and U.S. currency. On January 17, 2026, agents intercepted 2 kilograms of cocaine destined for the DTO. The investigation revealed that the cocaine had been ordered by the DTO from a source, identified as Toddriquez Bradley, 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Bradley has a prior federal conviction for trafficking in cocaine and is currently on federal supervision in the Middle District of Louisiana. On that date, Bradley sent a runner, Joseph K. Baker, 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to deliver the drugs to the DTO. Baker was arrested when he arrived in Paducah with 2 kilograms of cocaine. Bradley was subsequently arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Henderson was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, three counts of distribution of cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Stingley was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Baker and Bradley were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, Henderson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and up to life; Stingley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life; Baker faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life; and Bradley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life.

"Because of exceptional law enforcement work, large quantities of poison were seized before they hit the streets of Paducah," said U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner. "Now, our office will vigorously prosecute these defendants to finish the strong work started by investigators. Justice will be served."

"This case highlights the tenacity of DEA agents and our law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly for more than a year to shut down a source of supply for drugs flowing into Western Kentucky," said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA's Louisville Field Division. "Mr. Henderson and his associates should expect to experience the full weight of our justice system for their efforts to poison our communities with illicit drugs."

"The safety of our citizens is a top priority and this investigation demonstrates our commitment to the Paducah community," said Paducah Police Chief Brian Laird. "Our partnership with the DEA, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and regional agencies is essential to these efforts. This collaboration stopped a significant amount of drugs from entering our community and is holding repeat offenders fully accountable for their actions."

McCracken County Sheriff Ryan Norman stated, "When agencies come together to protect the public, good outcomes happen. This is a direct result of law enforcement officers being solely concerned with protecting our residents, our children, from these dangerous drugs. We have great cooperation in our area and it shows in the results."

The defendants will make their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Kentucky at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentences after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty with assistance from the Paducah Police Department, McCracken County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police, United States Postal Inspectors Service, Hopkinsville Police Department, Madisonville Police Department, Calloway County Sheriff's Office, and Mayfield Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney's Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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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