News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2004

Memphis Drug Fugitive Is Now A U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted

Craig Petties made a lot of money and maintained homes in Memphis, Tennessee, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as head of a large drug organization, but his luck may be running out now that U.S. Marshals have added him to their 15 Most Wanted fugitive list.. Petties is wanted in the Western District of Tennessee for multiple crimes including: conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, aiding and abetting, and money laundering. Petties, and other members of his organization, are members of a street gang called “Gangster Disciples,” and are reported to have committed numerous acts of violence. His criminal history includes arrests for attempted murder, drug possession and distribution, burglary, and the possession of firearms. His case has been made a priority target by the Memphis Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The case was initiated in 2001 by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Petties’ organization has distributed over one thousand kilograms of cocaine in the Memphis, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi and Atlanta, Georgia areas. During the course of their investigation deputy marshals and agents have seized over forty kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, and more than 600 pounds of marijuana.

Petties lived a lavish lifestyle and amassed a great deal of personal wealth and property from his drug dealing. Authorities have already seized two houses, valued at more than a million dollars, and twenty luxury vehicles that he owned. He is alleged to have millions of dollars saved and contacts who may assist him in evading capture. It is believed that Petties’ girlfriend, a black female, and their two children, a daughter, 12, and son, 5, are with him.

Robert J. Finan II, Assistant Director of the U.S. Marshals Investigative Services Division said, “We would love to get this guy off the streets. With his resources he could be anywhere and he is a danger to the community.”

Craig Petties, 28, is a black male, 5’9” tall, weighing 140 lbs. He has brown eyes and black hair. He has used the nicknames “Lil Dude” and “Lil Craig.” Petties should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about Craig Petties is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service Investigative Operations at (202) 307- 8741 or Western District of Tennessee at (901) 544-4288. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more federal fugitives than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. Last year U.S. Marshals arrested more than 36,000 federal fugitives and more than 32,000 state and local fugitives working with authorities through Marshals Service led task forces.

For additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service visit the web site www.usmarshals.gov.
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