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