Federal Grand Jury Indicts 7 for Drug Offenses Following Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

Louisville, KY - Following a lengthy investigation by the Louisville Homeland Security Task force, a federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned an indictment on July 22, 2026, charging seven local individuals with conspiring to distribute controlled substances, and one individual with firearm- and methamphetamine-related charges. Six of these individuals have been arrested.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kuszynski, IRS Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting, Homeland Security Investigations - Nashville, and Chief Paul L. Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Michael Morris, Lajuan Sanders, James Moorman, Wayne Allen, Miriam Thompson-Morris, Gary Ross and Jeffery Roberson were all charged with one count of conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of mixture and substance containing cocaine from April 13, 2026, through July 22, 2026, in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Additionally, James Moorman was charged with one count of possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm with the knowledge he had previously been convicted of a felony, specifically:

On or about January 23, 1990, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 89-CR-1087, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of trafficking in a controlled substance cocaine (two counts);

On or about September 6, 1995, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 95-CR-0208, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of illegal possession of controlled substance in the first degree, tampering with physical evidence;

On or about October 14, 1996, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 96-CR-2298, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of trafficking in controlled substance cocaine and illegal possession of a controlled substance cocaine;

On or about June 3, 2003, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 01-CR-2060, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of trafficking in controlled substance in the first degree while in possession of a firearm subsequent offender, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree while in possession of a firearm;

On or about June 3, 2003, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 02-CR-1628, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of trafficking in controlled substance in the first degree cocaine subsequent offender;

On or about September 17, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 17-CR-2407, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree heroin two grams or more, trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree cocaine, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon;

On or about September 17, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 18-CR-1841, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of illegal possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence; and

On or about September 17, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky, in case number 18-CR-3425, James Moorman was convicted of the offenses of illegal possession of a controlled substance heroin, tampering with physical evidence.

On July 29, 2026, six of the seven defendants made an initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Jeffery Roberson will make his initial appearance at a later date. If convicted, James Moorman faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. If convicted, Michael Morris, Lajuan Sanders, Wayne Allen, Miriam Thompson-Morris, Gary Ross and Jeffery Roberson face a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "The Louisville Homeland Security Task Force is a national model for interagency cooperation and productivity. Agents from multiple federal agencies working seamlessly with the Louisville Metro Police Department are constantly working long-term investigations against significant drug trafficking organizations for the betterment of our community. It is truly an honor to announce this important indictment and commend the success of our law enforcement partners."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott stated, "The DEA, alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, remains committed to pursuing those who profit from trafficking dangerous drugs while fueling violence in our communities. By bringing the full resources of the federal government to bear against career criminals, we are sending a clear message to those who peddle poison on our streets: your days are numbered."

"The men and women of ATF remain steadfast in our commitment to identifying and targeting those who drive violent crime through the illegal use of firearms and narcotics trafficking. Working alongside our partners on the HSTF, we will continue to investigate and dismantle violent offenders and organized criminal groups, ensuring they are held accountable and face the significant federal prison sentences they deserve," said John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Louisville Field Division.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson stated, "This long-term investigation and subsequent arrest operation demonstrates the HSTF mission in action. By bringing together federal, state, and local partners, HSTF Louisville leverages every available law enforcement authority and resource to enforce the laws of the United States. When we operate with unity, purpose, and integrity, we are stronger together and better equipped to confront the threats facing our communities. FBI Louisville is proud to serve alongside our HSTF partners, whose collective expertise and shared commitment make operations like this possible."

"This indictment is the result of the unyielding dedication by the Louisville Homeland Security Task Force. By dismantling this drug trafficking organization, IRS-CI and our law enforcement partners are taking a significant step toward protecting our communities from the dangers of illegal narcotics and violent crime. We remain committed to pursuing those who threaten public safety and to ensuring justice is served," said Robert Kuszynski, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI Detroit Field Office.

"Through the close coordination and shared purpose of the Homeland Security Task Force, we are able to bring the full strength of our collective authorities and resources to bear against those who threaten public safety and national security. Every arrest, every victim identified, and every threat disrupted reflects our dedication to safeguarding the American people," said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting.

LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey stated, "This investigation is another example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement work together with a shared commitment to protecting our community. I want to thank every investigator who spent countless hours on this case to make our neighborhoods safer."

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being investigated by the DEA, ATF, FBI, IRS-CI, HSI and FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Porter and Frank E. Dahl, III, are prosecuting the case with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Adela Alic.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Louisville comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, and IRS, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky.

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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