United States Attorney Trent Shores announced this week the apprehension of a fugitive on the FBI’s Wanted List who was charged in a 2014 federal indictment for alleged drug and gang conspiracy.
The Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigations Division arrested Rodney Roy Parker, 47, on Monday in Tulsa. Parker was a fugitive for nearly five years.
Law enforcement originally issued an arrest warrant for Parker on Aug. 13, 2014. He was wanted on federal charges related to the FBI and Tulsa Police Department’s drug investigations titled “Operation Battlefield” and “Battlefield Aftermath”.
The resulting indictment alleged that the Hoover Crips distributed $10 million worth of cocaine from Mexican cartels, murdered at least one witness, and had a vast network of co-conspirators.
“Justice never sleeps. Neither does the Tulsa Police Department nor the FBI. Rodney Parker learned that firsthand. You can try to run, but we will find you,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “The tenacity of Detective Jesse McNeal, the Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigation Division, and the FBI’s Tulsa Resident Office are to be commended. Thanks to their diligence, Parker will now answer for his alleged crimes in a court of law.”
“We could not be more proud of Detective McNeal,” said Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan. “We are glad that this final arrest will bring Battlefield to its conclusion. We appreciate the collaboration with our federal partners that resulted in over 50 arrests in this significant drug case.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge, Melissa Godbold, FBI Oklahoma City Division stated, "The arrest of Rodney Parker is a testament to our law enforcement partnerships and the countless hours dedicated to bringing Mr. Parker to justice. The FBI is extremely proud to be a part of the investigative work that resulted in removing another dangerous criminal from the streets of Tulsa."
Parker is charged in the indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, distribution and to manufacture 280 grams of “crack” cocaine, intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Parker is also charged with multiple counts of using a communication facility in the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
Parker is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He faces a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“Operation Battlefield” and “Battlefield Aftermath” were large-scale law enforcement operations that started in 2011 targeting “crack” cocaine distribution locations in Tulsa.
The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigations, which spanned four states and culminated in 2014 with 51 individuals indicted for drug conspiracy.
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