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FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: |
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January 15, 2008 |
Western District of
Tennessee
U.S. Marshal David G. Jolley (901) 544-4288/(731) 616-1897
U.S. Attorney’s Office – Leigh Anne Jordan (901) 544-4231
USMS Headquarters Public Affairs (202) 307-9065 |
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Craig Petties, International Drug Dealer, One of U.S. Marshals "15
Most Wanted,"
Arrested South of the Border |
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Memphis, TN - Touted as one of the best places to do business in
Central America, Queretaro, Mexico, proved to be just the opposite
for longtime drug kingpin Craig “Little Dude” Petties. Petties’
“business” in the international drug trade ended there with his
arrest by Mexican authorities this past weekend. The arrest was
announced today by David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the
Western District of Tennessee, Andrew Dimond, Resident Agent in
Charge of the DEA’s Memphis Resident Office, and David G. Jolley,
United States Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee.
Petties, one of the U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted”, was apprehended
in a coordinated effort between U.S. Marshals and other law
enforcement officials from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City,
including DEA and ICE, Mexican law enforcement and military
personnel. Mexican law enforcement, supported by the military,
raided a residence finding Petties, fugitive Carlos Alberto
Guajardo, three bodyguards and a female believed to be Petties’ wife
inside. In the house, authorities discovered Petties had false
identification documents as well as weapons. Neither Petties, nor
the other occupants in the residence, resisted arrest when
confronted by the Mexican authorities. Mexican authorities are
holding Petties as they continue their investigation.
Petties was wanted in the Western District of Tennessee for multiple
crimes, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with
intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute
marijuana, aiding and abetting and money laundering.
In the summer of 2002, Petties was living in Las Vegas, when it is
believed he learned of a federal indictment charging him with
distributing drugs. Petties, and associate Chris “Little Wolf”
Hamlet, fled to Mexico shortly thereafter. In Mexico, Petties
reportedly continued his criminal activities.
Petties allegedly conspired with Mexican drug traffickers to
distribute cocaine into a number of states in the U.S. Petties is
also alleged to have laundered large amounts of money.
While Petties accumulated a considerable sum of money from his
criminal activities, he did not get to keep everything his drug
money afforded him. Parts of Petties’ fortune, including a pair of
luxury homes in Memphis and Las Vegas, plus nearly two dozen
automobiles, were seized by the federal government while he was on
the run.
Craig Petties was placed on the U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted” in
2004 and was also a Drug Enforcement Administration’s Most Wanted
fugitive. He’s been featured on America’s Most Wanted.
For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit
http://www.usmarshals.gov
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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency |
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