An intensive four-month investigation into a cocaine distribution operation allegedly headed by Nashvillian Justin Dewight Jones has led to the arrest of five persons, including an accused hit man in a murder-for-hire scheme.

Recent information about Jones’ cocaine involvement led to a court-ordered wiretap last November. From information gleaned during Jones’ telephone conversations, Metro officers assigned to the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force concluded that Jones placed orders for, and then purchased, multiple kilograms of cocaine from Everardo Cruz Gante over a several month period for distribution on the streets of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

On Friday, undercover officers watched as Gante, 25, of Rural Hill Road, drove three kilograms of cocaine (with a street value in excess of $200,000) to a residence Jones controls at 915 W. Trinity Lane. Shortly after arriving, Gante was seen exiting the rear door carrying a bag containing money. He was then taken into custody. Inside 915 W. Trinity Lane, detectives found Jones along with the three kilograms of 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. Jones was taken into custody.

Also charged with engaging in this cocaine conspiracy is Antolin Sandoval, 34, of 3008 Mossdale Drive. Sandoval is alleged to have worked with Everardo Cruz Gante in delivering the cocaine from out-of-state to Jones.

Also living at Sandoval’s residence was Marcos Dealmonte. A search of the home revealed two bags of marijuana in a child’s bedroom, one of which was hidden in an air vent. The total weight of marijuana was two pounds. Also recovered was a semi-automatic pistol. Dealmonte claimed ownership to both.

While monitoring Jones’ telephone conversations, detectives heard him solicit a Bolivar, Tennessee man, Ricardo Wiggins, 31, to kill convicted cocaine felon and parolee Darrius L. Fain. Last Thursday, a man believed to have been Wiggins agreed to the price offered by Jones, after which Jones wired a sum of money to Wiggins in Bolivar. The man believed to have been Wiggins said that he would ride a bus to Nashville last Friday to carry out the homicide.

Fain, 26, was warned by police of the murder plot last week. He declined an offer of protection.

An arrest warrant charging Wiggins with conspiracy to commit criminal homicide was issued in Nashville Friday morning. Wiggins was then arrested in Bolivar by members of the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force. He was brought to Nashville late Friday afternoon and jailed.

Assisting in this investigation were Narcotics and Gang Units of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crime Suppression Units from the North, South, Hermitage and Madison Precincts, and the Interstate Interdiction Unit.

Jones, 29, 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.

Wiggins is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond on the conspiracy to commit criminal homicide charge.

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. He is being held in lieu of $40,000 bond.

Justin Dewight Jones

Everardo Cruz Gante

Antolin Sandoval

Marcos Dealmonte

This week’s joint investigation by the Nashville, Franklin and Brentwood police departments into a rash of trailer thefts culminated in today’s arrest of five persons and the recovery of a cache of stolen merchandise.

During the night, surveillance on a white Dodge pickup truck that was believed to be involved in the trailer thefts led to the Stor Place business at 7332 Tolbert Road in West Nashville, where the two occupants in the truck hooked up two Budget Rental tow dollies valued at $6,000 and stole them off the lot.  Accompanying the pickup truck were two men in a Green Honda Accord who were obviously serving as lookouts and counter surveillance operatives for the trailer thieves.  Undercover detectives from the police agencies watched as the pickup truck with the stolen dollies and the Honda Accord traveled to a home on Lawson Road in Smyrna.  When the four began to off load the tow dollies, officers moved in and arrested the four.  They are identified as:

Thus far, this theft ring has been linked to seven trailer thefts, three in Nashville and four in Williamson County.  In addition, as part of the continuing investigation, South Precinct detectives today discovered that a yard and duplex at 808 Drummond Drive was being used to store, or perhaps “fence,” stolen trailers and merchandise.  Several stolen trailers, some of which had already been repainted, were recovered from the property, as were stolen professional lawn mowers, trimmers and a scooter.  Recovered from inside the duplex were power tools, air compressors, chain saws and other equipment.  A resident at 808 Drummond, Eliseo M. Rodriguez, 39, was arrested.

All five persons taken into custody today are charged in Nashville with felony theft.  Additional charges are anticipated.

Freddy Rivera

Jose Rivera

Pina Victor Rosas

Edguardo Manuel Hernandez

Eliseo M. Rodriguez

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