Justin Jones
Ricardo Wiggins
Everardo Cruz Gante
Antolin Sandoval
Marcos DealmonteNASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A four-month long investigation into a cocaine distribution operation led to the arrest of five people, including an accused hit man in a murder-for-hire plot.
Since last November, authorities had been monitoring Justin Jones, 29, as the head of the illegal drug operation.
According to police, Jones placed orders for and then purchased multiple kilograms of cocaine from Everardo Cruz Gante over several months.
On Friday, undercover officers witnessed Gante, 25, drive three kilograms of cocaine estimated to be worth more than $200,000 to a residence Jones controls on West Trinity Lane.
Gante was taken into custody a short time later after he was seen exiting the home carrying a bag containing money.
Jones was taken into police custody after police found him along with the cocaine already concealed in the floor, numerous digital scales, various agents used to break down the cocaine into small quantities for street sale, and several pistols inside the home.
Police also charged Antolin Sandoval, 34, who is alleged to have worked with Gante in delivering the drugs to Jones from out-of-state.
Sandoval's roommate Marcos Dealmonte was taken to into custody after police found two bags of marijuana in a child's bedroom. A semi-automatic pistol was also recovered.
Dealmonte claimed ownership to both the drugs and gun.
During their investigation, police said while monitoring Jones' phone conversations detectives heard him solicit Ricardo Wiggins to kill convicted cocaine felon and parolee Darrius L. Fain.
According to police, late last week it is believed Wiggins agreed to travel to Nashville from Bolivar, about 30 miles south of Jackson, to carry out the crime.
Despite being warned by police of the murder plot, Fain declined protection.
Wiggins was taken into police custody on Friday afternoon and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond on the conspiracy to commit criminal homicide.
Jones is charged with possession of cocaine for resale, conspiracy to sell cocaine and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide.
He is being held in lieu of $750,000 bond.
Gante is charged with possessing cocaine for resale and conspiring to sell cocaine.
He is being held in lieu of $261,000 bond.
Sandoval is charged with engaging in a cocaine conspiracy.
He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Dealmonte is charged with felony marijuana and gun crimes and is being held in lieu of $40,000 bond.
