Columbia Drug Ring Nets 26 Indictments: Police

Columbia, MD — Police say they have put a dent in the drug trade in Columbia following an eight-month investigation into cocaine and prescription pill distribution.

Detectives seized more than a kilo of cocaine and crack cocaine; over 100 prescription pills; $160,000 in cash; and four vehicles, according to officials. Police charged 26 people who were allegedly involved in selling, buying and supplying drugs in a network that was headed up by two Columbia men.

While conducting drug buys in Columbia last fall, police said undercover narcotics detectives found that many of the local dealers were getting their supply from one man—50-year-old James Williams Matthews of the 8800 block of Tamebird Court in Columbia.

Police obtained a warrant to tap Matthews' phone and over a seven-week period, gained enough information to charge him as a drug kingpin. He's also charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, possession of a large amount of drugs, possession with intent to distribute, importing drugs into the state and distribution of narcotics.

After Matthews was arrested in November 2015, police said they tapped the phone of his replacement—Michael Antonio Webb, 32, of the 4900 block of Blue Wing Court in Columbia—and got more insight into the operation, leading to the arrests of other suspects in the drug operation.

There have been 26 people charged in connection with the operation and 34 grand jury indictments, the Howard County Police Department reported this week:

• Monie Brunson, Jr., 69, Daystar Court, Columbia
• Larry William Coleman, 47, Briarcroft Lane, Laurel
• Charles Hebron, 61, Cedar Avenue, Jessup
• Kendrick O’Neil Jackson,28, Flowerstock Row, Columbia
• William Edward Jolley, 51, Wende Court, Glen Burnie
• Terrell Justin Jones, 25, Blue Wing Court, Columbia
• Crystal Yvette Kelly, 53, Oak Meade Way, Jessup
• Tanya Nicole Kosh, 35, Faulkner Ridge Circle, Columbia
• Shondara Dovonia Lee, 39, Tamar Drive, Columbia
• Thomas Michael Lemerise, 50, Horseshoe Circle, Jessup
• James William Matthews, 50, Tamebird Court, Columbia
• Eric D. Murtha, 35, Town & Country Blvd, Ellicott City
• Aubrey Noble Nicholson, 55, Tamebird Court, Columbia
• Dontae Andre Robinson, 24, Airybrink Lane, Columbia
• Cecil Bernard Scott, 45, Branch Lane, Glen Burnie
• Tyler Daniel Selby, 44, Pressed Gentian, Columbia
• Jamie Irene Sichette, 37, Twelve Sons Court, Jessup
• Anthony Lamont Stancil, 40, Thornbrook Drive, Odenton
• Sheila Steed, 49, Broken Staff, Columbia
• Shelly Yvette Thomas, 48, Blue Wing Court, Columbia
• Hanif Abdul Wali, 53, Joyful Way, Ellicott City
• Kevin Walker, 53, Yellow Rose Court, Columbia
• Jerome Davon Ware, 41, Stevens Forest Road, Columbia
• Michael Antonio Webb, 32, Blue Wing Court, Columbia
• Sheron Palette Wells, 57, Beverly Drive, Elkridge
• Barbara Williams, 43, Windstream Drive, Columbia