CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A third individual has admitted his guilt in a large-scale narcotics distribution operation involving multiple properties throughout Corpus Christi, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Javon Hicks aka Drank Nitti Kasino, 40, Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton to maintaining a premises to distribute illicit narcotics and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Co-conspirator Dwayne Thompson aka Muddy Kasino, 39, and Zackari Williams aka Arm and Hammer Zone, 29, both of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty to the same charges March 9 and March 30, respectively. Hicks and Thompson forfeited personal items including cars, guns, jewelry and cash valued at more than $123,000 following their pleas.
The conspirators were part of a hip-hop group that produced music under the Kasino World label. They used various houses and apartments throughout Corpus Christi to record their songs and videos. However, the investigation revealed the group members also used the locations to distribute crack cocaine and meth with at least 100 sales per day.
U.S. District Judge David Morales set sentencing for Hicks and Thompson June 1 and June 30, respectively, while Williams will be sentenced June 22.
At their respective hearings, Hicks and Thompson face up to 25 years in prison, while Williams could receive up to a 20-year-term. All three also face a possible $500,000 maximum fine. Each man has been and will remain in custody pending their hearings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roland Swanson and Dennis E. Robinson prosecuted the case.