Texarkana Police Triumph as Local Crime Cartel Behind Bars
An eighteen-month investigation of alleged criminal activity by the LCB/I-30 Cartel gang in the Texarkana area has resulted in numerous arrests in recent weeks.
Texarkana Texas Police Chief Kevin Schutte had this to say about the investigation so far;
“I’m very proud of the extraordinary work of our detectives. These were not easy cases by any standard. They had to pull out just about every tool in their investigative toolbox to finally be able to get to the bottom of what happened and discover the truth. They’ve simply refused to give up – and they’re still going. We expect more arrests to be made soon.
TTPD detectives have been investigating the recent murder of Jermaine Aldridge in the Chili’s Restaurant parking lot from back on December 30, 2020, during the course of that investigation they learned that it was an alleged murder for hire plot. They also came to the conclusion that the murder was actually part of a much larger series of criminal acts by LCB/I-30 Cartel gang members.
Detectives now believe that this same group was also responsible for the shooting of a 35-year-old victim as he sat in a vehicle outside a business in the 1700 block of W. 3rd on July 15, 2021. That incident occurred just minutes after another crime where a man was tied up inside his home on west 16th St. and robbed at gunpoint by a group of men.
The following are charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity for Murder:
Courtney Hope, 33, Texarkana, TX – being held in Bowie County Jail ($1.21 million bond).
Van Grissom, 34, Texarkana, TX – being held in Bowie County Jail ($1.2 million bond).
Cedric Alexander, 21, Wall, MS – being held in Bowie County Jail ($1 million bond).
Calvin Gardner, 31, Desoto, TX– being held in Bowie County Jail ($1.2 million bond).
Cornell Brown, 30, Memphis, TN – being held in MCSO for Capital Murder in the Sept. 20, 2021, shooting death of Keith McFadden in Texarkana AR. A hold has been placed on him for the felony warrants issued for Texas incidents.
The following are also being charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity for Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Robbery:
- Courtney Hope
- Van Grissom
- Cedric Alexander
- Calvin Gardner
- Cornell Brown
Vonquildric Abraham, 29, Texarkana, TX – being held in Bowie County Jail ($200,331 bond).
Derial Greenwood, 34, Texarkana, TX – being held in Bowie County Jail ($80,000 bond).
Courtney Williams, 32, Memphis, TN – in custody in Mississippi and awaiting extradition to Texas.
And finally, Texarkana Texas Police would like your help finding this man:
Detectives also obtained felony warrants for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity for Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Robbery late last week for Markeis Richardson, 35, of Texarkana, TX. If you know where he can be found, please give us a call at 903-798-3116 or Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP.
This extensive investigation, involving several area law enforcement agencies as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety and Federal Bureau of Investigation, is still going on.
If you might have any information about these crimes – or any other crimes that may have been committed by LCB/I-30 Cartel, please contact either Detective Cliff Harris or Detective Tabitha Smith, again the number are 903-798-3116 or to remain anonymous, call Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP.