The Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit (ICE) is comprised of officers from the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, Elkhart Police Department, Goshen Police Department and the Nappanee Police Departments  *** MEDIA ADVISORY *** June 16, 2006                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE POLICE STAGE “MAC ATTACK” AND DEAL MAJOR BLOW TO CRACK COCAINE DISTRIBUTION IN ELKHART COUNTY MEDIA CONTACT:  Bill Wargo, 296-1888             At approximately 9:00pm on June 15th three Emergency Response Teams were briefed at the offices of the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. This briefing outlined the factors leading up to and the conclusion of a significant investigation into crack cocaine distribution in Elkhart County. The teams from the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, Elkhart Police Department and the Goshen Police Department were updated on the successful investigation into the activities of Freddie McKnight III, age 35, AKA: “Freddie Mac”. Three search warrants had been obtained and due to the high risk nature of the service of these warrants the ERTs were utilized to make the entries. The warrants were executed simultaneously at approximately 10:00pm at the following locations:1010 E. Indiana Ave.717 Sunset Ave. 933 MiddleburyThese three locations were just three of many that were locations where crack cocaine was being distributed by persons associated with McKnight’s organization. McKnight has previously been identified and convicted four times of dealing cocaine dating back to the early 90’s. He was also indicted in 1994 by a Federal Grand Jury and credited by the Federal authorities as “having paved the way for a drug trafficking gang known as the Corleone’s”. His formal charges were “Interstate Travel to aid an enterprise that distributed cocaine. The Corleone’s “brought not only drugs to Elkhart County but violence as well” according to a press release that was issued by the United States Attorney’s office in 1994. Based on the current investigation the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is filing five (5) Class A Felony Delivery of Cocaine charges, each carrying up to 50 years in prison.  A bond of $5,000,000 is being sought for McKnight. Over a 90 day period persons associated with McKnight’s network were systematically arrested for Dealing Crack Cocaine. Taras Baker, Andre’ Pope, Bryant Dandridge and David Hooper were a few of the several that were McKnight associates, currently in custody.  Â“Those arrests are what led to law enforcement putting a bulls eye on Mr. Mcknight” according to Prosecutor Curtis T. Hill Jr.  “In mid May McKnight became concerned enough about being targeted that he made an overture to the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and met with chief investigator Bill Wargo and ICE personnel. He sat down with them and indicated that he wanted to “cooperate” with police. He confirmed much of our intelligence and “named names” of not only his suppliers but his workers as well. At that time there was insufficient evidence to sustain a charge against McKnight; however he was told that it would be in his best interest to cease his illegal activities.  Since that interview intelligence indicated that McKnight obtained and redistributed over 10 pounds of crack cocaine just in the last four weeks, with an estimated street value of in excess of $400,000.  During his interview, after his arrest last night, he identified the persons  involved in the rest of his distribution network, that are not in jail, many only by street names. Law enforcement is asking for the public’s help in identifying some of these individuals and the police and drug investigators would like to speak with these individuals. The persons currently being sought for questioning in this investigation are known on the street as; “CB”, “Cheese”, “Mickey”, “Flav”, “Killa”, “Scoop”, “Sparkey” and “Big O”. These are all “persons of interest” to police.  Freddie McKnight III has also been operating a legitimate business called Phase Two Construction. The other person arrested last night was Alicia King, age 26, 717 Sunset Ave., Elkhart. This was a location that was suspected to be involved in the McKnight distribution network. At that location police seized 10.6 grams of suspected crack cocaine and approximately $1000 in currency. King was taken into custody and is currently being held in the Elkhart County on a $100,000 bond. Her charge is Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, a Class A Felony and she faces a potential penalty of up to 50 years. The estimated street value of the cocaine seized at that location was approximately $1000. The investigation continues and more arrests are expected.                ***