The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was one of several law enforcement agencies part of a federal and state investigation of a drug trafficking organization operating in Burlington.

Eight individuals have been charged in federal court as a result of the investigation. On Thursday, December 15, Gilbert Lee Ellis, Christopher Jerome Ellis, Honesty Knotts, Hardy Pegues, Joshua Adam Townsen, and Michael Demetrius Brown made their initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Davenport. Theodis Bagby and Larry Keith Knotts, also charged, have yet to make their initial appearance. Federal search warrants were executed at eight different Burlington residences on Thursday as well.

The investigation was primarily conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force. In addition to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation was aided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Burlington Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Lee County Task Force, Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Johnson County Drug Task Force, Ottumwa Drug Task Force, and the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team in Illinois.

KCII will have more information as it becomes official.