HOUSTON – U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani joined leaders from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to announce Thursday several arrests related to drug and gang activity in the Houston area.
Hamdani says a total of 20 people have been charged in connection to the investigation. 17 were arrested this week and the other three were already in custody.
While the arrests were mainly for federal drug and firearm charges, law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation told KPRC 2 they believe the suspects could be connected to an uptick in murders and aggravated assaults in the Houston area during the period from 2020 to 2022 and their arrests could help bring closure to some of those cases.
“One of them, Alfred Jacoby Green, aka Kobe, is allegedly a documented member and one of the leaders of a gang known as the Rich Kingz that’s predominantly on the south and southwest side of town,” Hamdani said.
Hamdani said it is alleged that Green and the Rich Kingz are connected to other criminal networks in the Houston area. The others arrested are also believed to be connected or part of the Rich Kingz. Authorities say the gang is responsible for drug trafficking and violent crimes across the Houston area, as well as several murders.
With these suspects in custody, law enforcement say there could be renewed hope for some unsolved cases.
“We know that yesterday’s arrests will help our investigators connect the dots on several cases, including unsolved murders. We also hope that yesterday’s arrests put some people at ease and encourages them to share critical information with us, information that may they may have been afraid to share before,” FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Doug Williams said at a news conference.
Among those arrested is a Sheldon ISD 3rd grade teacher, identified as Jessica Ferguson, who was still teaching when arrested on Wednesday. A hospital employee and a Harris County correctional officer were also among those arrested.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, FBI Houston said Ferguson was caught on a court-authorized wiretap allegedly doing drug deals while in class.
“Yesterday she was called in by the principal and she was arrested,” Hamdani said. “You could hear the children in the background.”
One alleged associate of the Rich Kingz was a third grade teacher who was caught on a court-authorized wiretap allegedly conducting drug deals while in class.
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) August 29, 2024
With yesterday's massive takedown, the violent Rich Kingz kingdom in our city has truly fallen. #FallenKingdom pic.twitter.com/sdbjODlNrT
Sheldon ISD released the following statement on the arrest of the teacher:
“Sheldon ISD is aware of a law enforcement investigation and recent arrest of a Sheldon ISD teacher. Due to privacy laws, the District is limited in its ability to share all information concerning the allegations and the teacher. The District confirms that the arrest did not take place in the presence of students. The District has placed the teacher on administrative leave. The District expects all of its employees to comply with state and federal laws, and the District is cooperating fully with law enforcement as this investigation continues. As always, the safety and well-being of all Sheldon ISD students and our District community remain our top priorities.”
Here is a list of all those indicted and the charges they face: