Sheriff: Nearly a dozen gang members tied to multiple shootings arrested in Baton Rouge drug bust, 1 at-large

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Nearly one dozen people allegedly tied to a gang in Baton Rouge have been arrested after a multi-agency investigation that spanned two months.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO) says during April and May 2025, its Gang Intelligence and Enforcement Unit started an extensive investigation into a criminal street gang known as the “Vultures.”

According to EBRSO, members of the “Vultures” are suspected of being responsible for numerous shootings in and around the Baton Rouge area.

Agents identified several members and several associates of the group, collecting hundreds of hours of surveillance on the gang. Authorities then determined that the gang was involved in a large-scale marijuana distribution operation.

Police chase in Texas

While under investigation, members of the gang were involved in a police chase in Texas. During the chase, the sheriff’s office says the gang members threw a pistol that had a machine gun conversion device, called a “switch,” out of the window. Other gang members were able to retrieve the gun but were stopped and arrested once they arrived back in Baton Rouge. Four members were arrested in connection with the incident and later released on bond.

Search warrants secured

Deputies identified 11 residences that the gang used to facilitate their marijuana trafficking operation. Agents secured search warrants for the locations, as well as several banks used by the gang to hide their money.

On June 2, 2025, with help from multiple divisions and agencies, agents executed warrants at the following locations:

• 3rd Street
• Hammond Manor Drive
• Apartment Court
• Joor Road
• 68th Avenue
• Stoneview Avenue
• 73rd Avenue (P&P Compliance Check)
• Pasadena Drive (P&P Compliance Check)
• Grand Settlement Boulevard
• Lockhaven Avenue
• La Margie Avenue

In addition, Louisiana Probation and Parole performed compliance checks at two gang member residences.

Drugs, guns, and cash seized

The following items, including drugs, guns, and cash, were seized, and several arrests were made as a result of the multi-agency investigation:

• 36.14 pounds of marijuana
• 78 dosage units of Tramadol
• 32 dosage units of amphetamine
• 15 dosage units of Lorazepam
• 1 dosage unit of Alprazolam
• 1 dosage unit of Oxycodone
• Digital scales
• $44,648 in currency

Seized Firearms

• Springfield Armory 9mm handgun
• Glock 19 9mm handgun
• S&W 5.56 rifle
• Glock 31 .357 magnum handgun
• (3) Taurus 9mm handguns
• Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun
• Glock 26 9mm handgun
• Davis Industries .380 handgun
• SAR 9mm handgun
• S&W 9mm handgun
• S&W .38 special revolver
• (3) Palmetto Arms 5.56 rifles
• Glock MCD (fully automatic switch)

‘Vultures’ members arrested

Broderick Butler, 25

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)
• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Possession of Schedule II Narcotics
• Resisting an Officer
• Criminal Street Gang
• Money Laundering
• Tampering and Fabricating (Felony warrant, Texas)
• Prohibited Weapon (Felony warrant, Texas)

Cornell Brown, 24

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)
• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm with Drugs
• Illegal Use of a Machine Gun
• Criminal Street Gang
• Tampering and Fabricating (Felony warrant, Texas)
• Prohibited Weapon (Felony warrant, Texas)

Delton Joseph, 25

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)
• Violation of a Protective Order (Affidavit Warrant)
• Illegal Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of Domestic Abuse Battery (Affidavit Warrant)
• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm with Drugs
• Resisting an Officer
• Criminal Street Gang
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Tampering and Fabricating (Felony warrant, Texas)
• Prohibited Weapon (Felony warrant, Texas)

Xavier Lewis, 28

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)
• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Criminal Street Gang

Reco Andrews, 47 *At-Large*

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)
• Criminal Street Gang

Chandris Ferguson, 45

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)
• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm with Drugs
• Criminal Street Gang

Gervea Ferguson, 27 *Already in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison*

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (Affidavit Warrant)

Larry Hardesty, 23

• Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics
• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Criminal Street Gang
• Resisting an Officer

Valmie Brown, 59

• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• PWITD Schedule II Narcotics
• PWITD Schedule IV Narcotics (2 counts)
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm with Drugs

Arionne Tackno, 23

• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• PWITD Schedule II Narcotics
• PWITD Schedule IV Narcotics (2 counts)

Delvin Andrews, 23

• PWITD Counterfeit Drugs
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jamaya Edwards, 19

• PWITD Schedule I Narcotics
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Keondre Young, 22

• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Keymond Sandford, 25 *In West Baton Rouge Jail*

• Tampering and Fabricating (Felony warrant, Texas)
• Prohibited Weapon (Felony warrant, Texas)

Latest News